Why do so many people with skills, knowledge, and motivation, never fulfill their true potential?

Why can't more of us be farmers, inventors, artists, craftsmen, tour guides, entrepreneurs? Why are so many of us condemned to live our life serving the Deep State nexus of government, fossilized bureaucratic institutions, and large corporations?

Why can't people live their lives the way they want. Why can't we do what we want with our life? What stops us?

It is not for lack of imagination or knowledge or effort or motivation or contacts. It is not because people have unrealistic expectations or are afraid to take risks.