Why do we humans look at life so materialistically? 

What is material? Material is nothing but the other side of Einstein's equation for relativity:

"Energy equals Mass (material) times the square of the speed of light"

E = MC²

Our mind provides the energy that puts the mess, er, mass together.

C² means

Who wins? The PAC fund managers, Tech Billionaires, lobbyists, and bankers are all WINNERS. 
Who Loses? We citizens are the LOSERS. 
Since when? Since 1775.