That's the difference between old money, and jumped-up white trash. Filth like the Clintons and Leona Helmsley don't know anything about being rich and powerful except what they've seen in movies. They think rich people always abuse their underlings like that, and to fit in with high society they should do likewise. You'd half expect them to parade around in spats and ascots and top hats.
I wasn't filthy rich growing up, but by the standards of our little town we were doing pretty well. My folks employed several dozen people. Mom and Dad always taught me that our people were to be treated with respect and human kindness, and that it was seriously gauche to shout at them or show contempt to them. Too bad the Clintons didn't get that instruction as children.
-ccm