Further examples of government slanted against the poor ...

... .. or subtle ways of stealing from the peasants:

http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2017/12/how-the-rich-use-the-government-to-enrich-themselves.html

Why things were better back then ...

Check this out:

https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/12/21/1726664/-This-Accountant-s-Perspective-A-Short-History-Lesson-on-Tax-Policy-as-Social-Engineering

The "why" of empire

Global corporations have taken over as the excuse for empire-building.  Check this out:

https://www.dissentmagazine.org/article/short-history-american-empire-stephen-kinzer-true-flag-review

It was, is, and always will be about rich guys trying to control all the world's wealth no matter what the cost in human lives.  How admirable is that?