With all of this talk of elitism, I have some insight as to why a blue collar/small town person might resent the elite and this focuses on education rather than income, although they usually go hand in hand.

I teach Adult Basic Education - the Basic means, below high school level or high school, but not ready for college.  If some way along your life, you weren't able to finish high school and/or go to college, it's very difficult to get that eduation later on.  Sometimes it seems like the odds are insurmountable.  Juggling school with jobs and families is very difficult.  They see such slow progress, it's discouraging. It is very hard work.

So you can see that to these people, having a good education seems unattainable.  We have something they can't get.  They can't even get it if they win the lottery.  So instead of viewing us with awe and respect, they see us a being condescending.

I think we need to respect that.  I know a lot of students who really want to be like me - with a Master's Degree, but it really is impossible for most of them.  The gap just keeps widening.

Any other insight?