The things that have made America great are being subverted for the things that make Americans rich.

The line contrasts two value systems: civic virtues and institutions that contribute to national “greatness” (public-mindedness, democratic norms, shared sacrifice, rule of law) versus the pursuit of private wealth. “Subverted” implies not merely neglect but an active undermining—suggesting that policies, cultural priorities, or corporate influence redirect the country away from common goods toward enrichment of individuals or elites. The aphorism functions as a critique of materialism and plutocratic drift, warning that a nation’s long-term strength depends on sustaining collective commitments rather than maximizing short-term personal gain. Its force comes from the moral reversal: what benefits “Americans” financially may erode what benefits “America” as a polity.