I forget where I was reading an analysis of this kind of thing the other day, but it argued that there are really two middle classes: the commercial middle clas

I forget where I was reading an analysis of this kind of thing the other day, but it argued that there are really two middle classes: the commercial middle class and the academic middle class. The academic middle class loves the lower classes (in theory) but can't stand the commercial middle classes, whom they see as ignorant boors with the temerity to earn more money than professors, while doing less work. This, I think, is what drives a lot of the contempt for things like SUVs, "McMansions", soccer moms, Sarah Palin, and all that other gunk that people in my circle seem to enjoy whining about nonstop.