Has Contemporary Liberalism Lost its Way?

I think so, and here's why:

• In the Middle Ages, classical liberalism was a movement to liberate the fledgling merchant class from the authoritarian rule of monarchs and aristocrats.
• To do so, classical liberalism sought to reduce the power of the government.
• Over time, the aristocrats and monarchs lost power but powerful industrialists emerged from the merchant class.
• So in the Industrial Age, modern liberalism became a movement to liberate workers from the domination of industrialists.
• To do so, modern liberals enlisted the aid of democratic governments and expanded their power.
• Once again another power shift has occurred. The industrialists have gone overseas.
• Power appears to be in the hands of those who control information and knowledge. 
• Contemporary liberals, however, are still focused on industrialists, government regulations, and labor. It's time to move on. 

Modern education teaches people to believe what they hear rather than teach them to think for themselves:

• Why do people believe what they see on TV?
• Why do people buy houses they can't afford?
• Why does anyone lease a personal car?
• Who does the math to see if refinancing really saves money over the long term?
• Why do people believe they own their homes when banks hold their titles?
• Why do people believe health care has been reformed?
• How were people persuaded to invade Iraq?
• Why are people convinced that trickle-down economics benefits them?
• How were people persuaded to pay for Wall Street bailouts?
• How were people convinced of "too big to fail"
• Why do people believe you can cut taxes and increase spending indefinitely?
• Why do people with no education in economics or finance think they can beat the stock market if the government privatizes Social Security?

It's time to liberate people again from a new domineering class, but I don't know who they are. They're apparently in control of education. Amazingly Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 foretold how this could happen. The book contains action and adventure, but the real story takes place between the action and adventure.

We share our country with lots of people, so we can't do anything until more people realize what the problem is.

Please read Fahrenheit 451, make your own observations and conclusions, and decide for yourself. If I'm right, tell your friends.

References
Ted Bogart, "History of Liberalism", Book Blog, 2012, web.
"Liberalism", Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc., 1975, vol. 10, pp. 846-851.
Ray Bradbury. Fahrenheit 451. 50th Anniversary Edition. 1953,1979,1981,1982. Del Rey.