In particular today, the associate/equity distinction continues to be problematic -- for those not in the loop, this is basically the distinction between people who've put in major moneys and those who haven't -- I being a member of the latter. But I do a lot of work, and I'm very committed to the project (as 2 years' involvement shows) so it tweaks me when that difference is used as the primary one in talking about recognition of investment/involvement.
And I can't help ultimately then feeling like just saying, "Fuck it, I don't need this shit," and cutting loose.
*sigh*