Not just the US. I believe capitalism achieved that almost everywhere. People thrive on the idea of suddenly being rich and//or believe themselves to be rich because they have more than someone else they can look down on.

In Germany the leading politicians often fuel this too. When they talk about equality they talk about making those that earn much give more to support those that earn far less or nothing. In the grand scheme of things, even the high earners are poor. The rich people don’t have to earn anything it all. But that is never mentioned (by said politicians).

They (“up there”) basically managed to instigate a class struggle between workers.