A capitalist is one who owns the means of production, not someone who lives off of capital. Thus any small business owner who has a few employees, a worker such as a carpenter or plumber who owns a business is essentially a capitalist. Americans traditionally have been upwardly mobile because they could start a small business and become well off. Unlike Europe where there was a caste system that stopped upward mobility.

That being said, yes America has an almost fatal problem with ‘false consciousness’. It started with President Clinton who said he was for the Middle Class, then dismantled it giving much of the wealth to the rich. The Democratic Party says it is for the working class people, but doesn’t give it universal healthcare, education, or the basic social services of European countries. Unfortunately there has been a interpenetration of government by big business. Biden is a capitalist, as he works for their interests.