In response to the comments towards the bottom of page 1... My grandpa was much the same way. However his angle on it was that while his children would never want for anything they also didn't live in excess. He taught that excess is to be given away in the form of hospitality, taxation and voting for social betterment programs, volunteer time and donations.

My parents gave us a cushier life than they had to be sure, but the spirit of not beleiving in your own supremicy, working hard for what you have, and the willingness to share your success with those who are less affluent were definitely a strong part of our upbringing.

These values aren't dead, they're just passed on to fewer people.