"I wouldn't make a blanket statement and say "all designers are equal", which is essential what you are saying."

I said the best on 99designs and guys who want $5k to do a logo are equal. Not every designer is equal.

"You can call it entitlement if you would like. I call it I've worked my ass off for many years and now have the luxury of only accepting gigs that I want."

This is what overpaid people in dying industries always say and think. The market doesn't care how hard you worked or what you think you deserve. Of course, you know this, which is why you made this post and why you want people to think designers doing spec work are 'one step above useless'.