How can the purpose of capitalism be these two things at once?

[Larry Powers]

For your information, the "rising tide that lifts all boats" is an expanding economy, which is different from inflation. While it's true that inflation is a cancer on society, you don't have inflation if you don't increase the money supply.

Capitalism is the best system that's ever been devised, for humans to live under. Capitalism means that every man is entitled to the fruits of his own labor. Such a system allows people to choose their own course, in life, based on what is most important for them.

Capitalism is completely different from "trickle-down". "Trickle-down" is a nickname for "Supply Side Economics". It involves giving Government help to corporations and high-income people, in the hope that they will spend some portion of that help in expanding the economy. Capitalism is completely different from this practice, since capitalism doesn't call for any Government help to be given to ANYBODY, much less corporations and rich people.

If you're concerned about America being "intellectually decadent", perhaps you should examine your own question, so that you can see how wide-spread that decadence really is. You've confused inflation with economic expansion, and "trickle-down" with Capitalism, itself. Perhaps you might consider injecting a little more rigor into your own thinking, and maybe you can help to counteract the trend toward "intellectual decadence".