This is all so scary. Is there any way to defend against this? The country is so screwed.

Get meaningfully involved locally. Vote locally. Vote in midterms. Most Americans don't, and it matters.

I fear our gov’t is irreversibly controlled by those with all the money and they no longer even disguise their intentions. They are in it for themselves and will never relinquish control willingly. As consumers we have ALL the power, but 40% worship billionaires, completely neutering our advantage