yes, they are different. The ones I have met, in the vast majority of cases, would be rich anywhere they lived because they are good at getting people to do their bidding. They are spectacular sales people who take advantage of other people's niceties, honesty and morals. They are the kind, who when starting out, didn't see an issue with convincing an old widow on a fixed income that she needed to have $500 worth of yard work done, or that her hot water tank needs replacing when it doesn't, or they have no problems signing up a poor family to a 3-year contract to 'save' on energy bills (when it ends up being more when all the fees are said and done). They are charismatic and intimidating at the same time. They will manipulate anyone to make money and they see people as chess pieces in their little 'make money' game.
Even if they don't hoard their wealth and are only 'well off' I still have an issue with how they make their money - just like I have issues with doctors that like to play god, or cops that are there for the power trip.
Another point - most of the 'self made' people have had the good fortune to have their education paid for, or at least had a decent home with good food and went to decent schools...they have no idea what it is like for those who are really poor, and how much steeper that climb is when you move every year, are hungry often, and attend crappy schools. This lack of empathy is what triggers my rage - just because YOU were able to make it, doesn't mean someone exactly like you in different circumstances would've made it as well. I'm thinking of a particular rich tv business person who thinks they deserve their wealth because they worked hard, without mentioning the 2 degrees that were paid for or the thousands of dollars their parents invested in their first business. Because we ALL have parents who can write us a check for tens of thousands of dollars for a 'start up' business. The little things like that give rich people a shitload of leverage and they don't even recognize it as such.
= new reply since forum marked as read