Is the extent of judgement around who makes the most money a recent phenomenon? It seems more common these days for people to look down on others that make less than them. Maybe there are more visible status symbols now.
The older I get, the more I realize how little I need in day to day life. But I have profound gratitude for the opportunities I have been given.
I have deep respect for those that help to repair my plumbing, deliver my mail, and cook a breakfast sandwich at 6am.
Part of me suspects that politically the US is experiencing class struggles right now, particularly around how we treat each other. A little bit of seeing the human being in the people around us and treating them with empathy can go a long way IMHO.
Within the last generation, we have seen a large increase in wealth disparity. Technological progress and the multiplier effect that “internet scale“ enables seems to have amplified the effect.