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Corruption was WAY worse back then.

Hell, the examples provided are way less crazy than graft scandals and mafia wars from the time period you are looking at with rose tinted glasses [0]

[0] - https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Francisco_graft_trials

[1] - https://www.sfchronicle.com/politics/article/S-F-corruption-...

[2] - https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tong_Wars

1 comments

Main difference, corruption didn't put artificial barriers for new business. Remember, politicians back then enacted anti trust laws. You can't expect similar courage in 2023.

Try opening a small business in NYC in the early 20th century without paying off Tammany Hall or the same in SF without paying Ruef

So govt has now replaced the role of organized crime and protection rackets.

It seems like you are supporting my point.