It amazes me how the examples given in the article as displays of wealth don't resonate with me at all.
In the Middle East, you have Sheiks creating gigantic palaces that rival wonders of the world, all for their display of wealth and power.
In the Balkans, you have rich gypsies throwing money on women at their weddings and carrying more bling on them than you will ever have in your lifetime.
I just left SF for a bit after living in SoMa for a year. People should understand that spending YOUR money on YOUR wedding to make it special is not an exorbitant display of wealth. Neither is having a corporate jet area at an airport or a charter of private buses for that matter.
It could be worse; much worse.