Harry is someone that already exists and has relationships in the world, usually those sorts or RPGs don’t let you customize much. It’s like Geralt or Link. But you do get to develop your personality more through dialogue.

As for the tie skill check, the rest of the game is better about saving skill checks for more difficult tasks. It’s just there at the start to reinforce how much of a mess your character is. You can come back later when the negative modifiers clear and it’s easier.

This doesn’t even need to be for a crime if you consider eminent domain. And all industries still face regulation in a capitalist nation like the US, meaning industry is only given as much leeway as the state allows.

Private “ownership” is an exaggeration for convenience; the office building you own may still be searched without permission or notice if you are suspected of a crime, it may be seized if you are late with paying taxes or simply do not maintain it, you may not own mineral rights or the right to restrict aviation above it, and you need the approval of the local government to make certain construction projects on it.

The definitions I hear for socialism could often apply to the US or any other capitalist nation.