re Why is it that they are so vilified in the U.S.? ... Oh, they're vilified the world over.

All over, and in all centuries it would seem.

Here is a famous quotation which I always knew as "Why does a hearse horse snicker hauling a lawyer's bones?"

QUOTATION: Why is there always a secret singing when a lawyer cashes in? Why does a hearse horse snicker hauling a lawyer away?
ATTRIBUTION: Quoted in NY Times 13 Jan 85

Source:
Simpson’s Contemporary Quotations, compiled by James B. Simpson. 1988.