Most people were pissed off when the CEOs of the big three automakers traveled to Washington in private jets to ask for a bailout. It was like having a beggar come up to you on the street and ask for $20 while checking his email and listening to Rihanna on his iPhone.
The economy being what it is (and what it has been), flashing any kind of bling is suddenly very taboo. Times are so rough that no one wants to be “that guy” flaunting his money when everyone else is …