I think the regulatory targeting of government enabled shake downs toward the wealthier middle class is much more of an issue. The wealthy middle class can afford to put up with more than the poor.

Though they try, it's hard to market segment your shakedowns, so the poor are often just priced out of the market.

Market segmentation by price/quality/status works just fine where there is a free market. If you've got the money to buy it, goods will come.