Sorry to respond with such a small take but my impression is that the ecosystem you engaged with benefits from the socialist system preventing the worst of nickle and diming.

And I do think they make lots of money. Wether you’re big tech, big pharma or big food - your market is billions strong. A small profit margin within a socialist market system is more than enough to maintain the capitalist class and ensure investment too.

More importantly: if you live within this market your expenses in dollar terms will be way undercounted.