The older generation ceded our power to the wealthy.

Did they actually? Or are you just saying that?

it was their own short sighted greed and often bigotry that allowed them to go along with it

Did we take any kind of vote on our actual energy policy? Did we collectively decide to build highways over railways or big trucks over dense housing blocks at some point?

Who decided to tear up the streetcars?

The Americans who believe their democracy is real are as bad as the ones who believe climate change is fake.