Wall Street: Is Bud Fox REALLY the Bad Guy?

Okay, so I just rewatched Wall Street (1987) and I'm still OBSESSED. But this time, I couldn't shake this feeling that maybe, just maybe, we're too hard on Bud Fox? Hear me out! Like, yeah, he's definitely ambitious (to put it mildly) and makes some seriously questionable choices. But isn't he also a product of the system? He's basically a guppy swimming in a shark tank, desperate to survive. Gordon Gekko totally preys on that desperation, dangling the carrot of wealth and power in front of him. And think about it: Bud comes from a working-class background, his dad's a union guy, and he's basically trying to escape that life. The scene where he first meets Gekko and is just completely awestruck? You can practically see the dollar signs flashing in his eyes. He's young, naive, and wants to impress someone he sees as successful. Gekko, on the other hand, is a seasoned pro who knows exactly how to manipulate him. I almost feel bad for him, ya know? Almost. I mean, let's be real, Gekko is the ultimate villain. "Greed is good"? Ugh, chills. But Bud? He's more like a pawn in a much bigger game. He starts out wanting to succeed legitimately, but gets seduced by the dark side. And yeah, he does some awful things, like the Blue Star Airlines stuff, but he also shows remorse. Remember that scene where he's talking to his dad about it? Heartbreaking! Maybe I'm just being overly sympathetic, but I think Wall Street is less about good vs. evil and more about the corrupting influence of power and money. Bud Fox is a cautionary tale, sure, but he's also a victim. I dunno, what do you guys think? Am I totally off base here? Let me know!