"Understand, or agree with? One of them is a lot easier to do than the other." The part about status seems pretty straightforward to Jim, even if it's also extremely unethical. He's pretty sure, too, that whatever the authorities might say, they picked people completely randomly.

He feels like a complete hypocrite for not complaining too loudly.

"At least you're a step ahead of me. I have no clue what I can do that pays here."