Exactly. If you make 30,000 a year or 3,000,000, you are still going to want what you think is your "fair market value." People act is if just becuase the amount of money is different, the principle is not. If you thought you were one of the best employees at your company, but you saw others in the same fields either at your company or a competitor's making more than you, I'm betting it would not sit right. This doesn't change when the dollars go up or down.
Additionally, people get used to living a lifestyle that their financial situation can afford them. For the most part, people who make 1,000,000 per year do not act as if they make 40,000. They have a nicer car, bigger house, higher property taxes, etc. The argument that they do not need to live that way is totally subjective. I bet people who make far less could find ways to make the money go further. You got cable? Satellite TV? Nice stereo? DVD collection? Season tix? ETC, ETC, ETC. Now also imagine that your job only allows you to work for a maximum of 10 years (and 3-4 on the average). Could you make enough money to last the rest of your life?
Who knows? But I think it's a little unfair to judge someone else's situation because it appears to be easier.
Rant done.