however little they realize it, their own jobs are at least partially dependent on all these "non-essential" parts of the economy.

Also, they have put themselves into precarious positions. Everything goes to hell for them if the main breadwinner spouse becomes permanently unemployed. They have huge mortgages, they aren't allowed to do reasonable things to their own homes such as grow food in the backyard, and those who have the freedom and the space on their property would rather maintain an in-ground pool that gets used 3x a year, tops. They are the ones who won't fare well in a collapse and they usually know it. Yet they engage in brinksmanship. It's like they're suicidal.