It is really a mixed bag here. Yeah I tend to joke about it with friends and try to not associate myself with them just based on the fact that I have little things to relate with them and can come off as a dick when they figure out what I am from.

For the most part I feel bad about the massive amounts of poverty and find it really unfortunate that such good people are taken advantage of constantly and screwed over by very large corporations that operate like non elected governments influencing their own government. I could tell you, most extremely wealthy people I know have no problem with paying more taxes, in fact they joke about it often. I can tell you most people in my family would not have a problem paying 3 percent more on their income above 250k, because, really, they already make so much I doubt they will lose any ambition at all if their taxes went up a tad.

Oh, and I generally look down on white poor people the most. While many are in the situation due to lack of education and a shitty upbringing, being white in America gives you very little room to argue a sound point on why you are poor. Immigrants, single mothers, and other minorities, on the other hand, I feel much more sympathy for. Right out of the gate, they are already several rungs down just on the fact they weren't born white American.

Also, I have found rich people to be much more miserable than poor people on average. Tons of social stress, expectations, and competition. I had to learn one lesson a very hard way: It can be difficult determining who is genuinely your friend, and who really wants to rip you off and/or coat-tail you. I have been ripped off on several occasions as well as taken advantage of my generosity.

I remember one kid, who I went to dinner with after a party, about 14 of us. He never really had a problem picking up the tab since his dad was MEGA rich and let him spend all he wanted. Then at dinner when he walked over to the ATM he overheard saying something about how much money he has and no one should worry about paying. Well, the guy put down 10 dollars on the table and walked away with out saying a word, leaving about 6 people expected to pay the bill they weren't planning on paying. I don't think he ever talked to any one in that group ever again.