Capitalism didn’t give Americans cars and smartphones though. The people in most of those cars are probably still paying off their loans, and their phones are likely on contract. Capitalism just lends Americans money, so it can make more money when they pay it back. And they don’t complain because they get to enjoy the illusion of prosperity and drive a car they don’t really own, while paying other people for fuel and insurance.

It’s all smoke and mirrors. The only real part is the smoke.