The reason Russia is as bad as it is is because Russians tolerate it being that bad, because things have been bad for them for a very long time.
Americans aren't used to things being this bad, but if they're allowed to get worse gradually enough, they'll learn.
You have to help people directly while fucking over the things that make rich people richer. So it's not about just making things worse or better. You have to make things worse for the people who have the power.