Aparantly you could not.

What historians will point to in my opinion are two key point in modern American history that unleashed the decent into madness.

1. Raegan, his financial policies laid the groundwork for the modern ultra wealthy tech bros.
2. 9/11, 9/11 turned patriotism into a national psychotic duty.

After 9/11 you could slap a US flag on basically anything, shout patriotism and make a shit load of money while being thanked for it.

Then it just rolled on.