TS, sort of: underground pop punk vs top 40

Could never tell what you folks thought about pop punk anyway. I had a conversation with Sam "The Party" Bloch about this, and he basically admitted (correct me if I'm wrong, catdog) that he has different standards for top 40 bands like Blink 182 and Sum 41 than he does for "under the radar" pop punk like the Blue Meanies or Screeching Weasel. That when he hears "I'm Feelin It" on the radio between Baby Boy and Pass the Dutch he can take all three of them in on the same level, but when it's out of that context he basically sees pop punk as a lesser art form.

Do people have a problem with underground ska and punk because the bands aren't making much scratch? Because the idea that a band could be so honestly dedicated to DUMB OLD POP PUNK is ridiculous and laughable to them? Is it actually a question of elitism? If so, who are these people that don't like "Fuck Like Bunnies" by Pansy Division and "Dear Sergio" by Catch 22?