This has frequently been true in American history though. Think folks were thrilled with the robber barons of the railroad area also owning newspapers? Imho,

This has frequently been true in American history though. Think folks were thrilled with the robber barons of the railroad area also owning newspapers? Imho, the core thing that worsened was the election system. Specifically, closed primaries and gerrymandering. Both because they disincentivize centrists and compromise. Ranked choice, mandatory opening of party primaries, and a Supreme Court definition of unacceptable gerrymandering (mathematically-based) would get us better government.