In general, I think these behaviours are better explained by the Hedonic Treadmill theory, rather than by malice. If your $1M house isn't perfect, you start lo

In general, I think these behaviours are better explained by the Hedonic Treadmill theory, rather than by malice. If your $1M house isn't perfect, you start looking at $2M houses. If your monthly costs are what other people hope to make in a year, any decrease in your means seems horrible and unfair. This doesn't address Pincus' comments, but there are jealous rich as well as jealous not-rich.