They also use their wealth to rig the system (political manipulation) to the detriment of the societies that allowed them to accumulate wealth in the first place. Don't pretend they're blameless; they're parasites killing the host.

How are they killing it? Mankind is richer than they've ever been in history, and working less hours per day. Things are great. Things are way better than 40 years ago, 400 years ago.