Wow, talk about taking stuff out of context. Plutarch is NOT talking out government programs maligning liberty, but rather, corrupt politicians using wealth to placate a self-serving population with "bounties, donations, and benefits" to effectively buy that population's vote. Plutarch is condemning men like Sulla (bounties=citizenship rights to anyone serving in the Roman military), Caesar (donations=land gifts to veteran soldiers), Antony (benefits=government positions to his lackeys), et al. who used bribery to gain prominence in Republican Rome. "The destroyer of liberties" is in reference to the fall of the Republic which permitted debate of government decisions and the creation of the Roman Empire controlled by one emperor. He's condemning wealth and power used by unscrupulous hands. A better parallel to American politics would be the Citizens United ruling which allows corporations to fund political campaigns and effectively buy your vote.