New Attitude Toward Rich?
Until recently the average middle class American had no problem with, and even sometimes liked, the very wealthy. There was surprisingly little jealousy or resentment. As long as they were reasonably satisfied with their lifestyle, they didn’t begrudge the super rich their decadence. It had little to do with them. In fact many people were glad such people existed. It gave them a glimmer of hope that they might somehow, one day, join their ranks. More practically, they realized that those wealthy people were sometimes indirectly responsible for their own nice standard of living.
But I think things may be changing. Perhaps dramatically. Maybe even dangerously. Especially as regards a subset of rich people. Because people are no longer living so nicely. Worse yet, it looks to them like many of the rich are to blame for that.
The Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, type will still probably escape their wrath. Entrpreneurs and inventors do so much obvious good, their wealth can be considered deserved. Likewise the diligent neurosurgeon or even the great entertainer or athlete. They may be a bit overpaid, but they clearly work hard and make a lot of people happy.
But what about those mega rich who have simply taken advantage of technicalities of the capitalist system? The derivatives trader? The corporate raider? The class action suit defense attorney? The CEO of a failing company? The guy who comes up with the most effective, slightly deceptive, commercials? All middlemen who, at least in the eyes of the average Joe, is totally undeserving of great wealth, and is very selfish if he doesn’t bend over backwards to help the country get out of this mess.
I’m not really going anywhere with this observation. Except perhaps to suggest you don’t park your Ferrari in the mall parking lot.