Frustrating

H.I.F.

"Gentry liberalism”: increased spending on amenities and subsidies targeted at the elite, accompanied by painful cuts in basic public services for the poor and middle class. Link.

Although "gentry liberalism" as used in the article is a little different, the phenomenon (taking from the non-rich to give to the rich) is where all government planning and programs eventually end up. The USSR (as well as every communist country) had a clear hierarchy. If you were inside the Kremlin or its friend, you had plenty. If you weren't, you struggled mightily. It's not a coincidence that northern Virginia has the highest per capita income in the United States.