During the Cold War, we lived in coded times when it wasn't easy and there were shades of grey and ambiguity.
If we get our self-esteem from superficial places, from our popularity, appearance, business success, financial situation, health, any of these, we will be disappointed, because no one can guarantee that we'll have them tomorrow.
The concept of industry domination of regulatory agencies was well known and documented in the literature by the 1960s.