It's the typical reflexive reaction from those who feel intelligence is defined by the ability to acquire economic success. The reason the intellectual is despised is because he is perceived as someone capable of being rich who chooses not to be so, or at least chooses not to engage in the activities supposedly suited for and rewarding to genuine intellect: making money. Whether this is actually the case or not is irrelevant. This "intellectualism for its own sake" not only questions the intelligence of the questioner, but his very reason and justification for life itself.

Have you noticed how the right is always accusing the poor of being elitist? Or accusing the left of being rich elitists? It's the same mentality that believes athletes and rock stars and actors get paid too much, but sports team owners and concert promoters and movie producers are entitled to whatever the market will bear. The reason is clear, most people know they can't play sports or master an instrument, or be a box-office draw, but everyone fancies himself a financial or business genius. The only reason it hasn't worked out for them is because of some sinister liberal (or foreign, or immigrant, or leftist, or black, or Jewish) conspiracy.

Well, I have a question for them: If you're so rich, why aren't you happy?