They ape upper class values and habits, claim their ethos, see them as their natural allies, feel that their interests coincide. They expect that by adopting a contempt for the poor and working classes, by identifying with the upper classes culturally and visualizing themselves as part of the economic leadership (entitled to or destined to soon enter it) they will be accepted by and join the managerial/executive castes.

They believed they would be welcomed and protected by them. They actually expected that hitching their wagon to the elite's would benefit them. So they voted Republican and flirted with Conservative philosophy and waited for the inevitable trickle-down. They forgot where their own interests lay and now they are paying a terrible price.

The middle class bought into the program completely and they have too much emotionally invested in it now to realize how totally and maliciously they have been conned. They are angry, they feel betrayed, and they are desperately looking for scapegoats and easy solutions and the leaders that will provide them.