I think the answer is because you tend to compare yourself to people that are close to you in terms of attainment. So you don't compare yourself to the Queen o

I think the answer is because you tend to compare yourself to people that are close to you in terms of attainment. So you don't compare yourself to the Queen of England or a malnourished farmer in Africa. A middle class person compares them self to the person who lost his job, and the person that is doing a bit better in their town or neighborhood. Focusing on the "scroungers" is a way to hate what you are afraid of becoming, or what you sacrifice to avoid.