and completely miss the fact that they have more in common with us than they do the billionaires they so voraciously defend.

I'm a member of the professional class and grew up in it. The reason many I know and grew up with are so defensive of the upper-class is because in comparison, they're actually treated really well beyond salary and benefits.

I would argue that these families and people aren't voraciously defending billionaires, they're more-so complacent with the economic system that allowed them to achieve relative success. That's why the system isn't budging; about a fifth of American society has still technically achieved the American Dream and they are a very politically active force.