I remember this tv commercial from a few years ago wherein towards the end the typecast lead actor says, "It's my little way of sticking it to "The Man." The next shot is that of his equally typecast assistant who replies, "But, you ARE 'The Man'. So, I guess you're sticking to yourself." The next scene has the lead actor looking at his assistant and, realizing the irony, admits, "Maybe."
Cut to where I'm reading my regional newspaper and see two seemingly unrelated articles. A flight attendant throws a tantrum, stomps off the set and there are vast reports how We the People have joined him vicariously in sticking it to The Man. Conversely, I read an article for those who are The Man in helping become better ..uh...men? In the way my mind works, I thought of that tv commercial.
Recently I've read pop surveys about how unhappy people are at work and how the angry electorate will stick it to The Man in this Fall's elections. Anybody out there like what they are doing? Anyone having fun at work? Anybody like their boss?
It was the seemingly unrelated article that summed up the last week for me. In an interview, the Executive Producer (The Man?) Fred Gevalt of a documentary called "Please Remove Your Shoes" is quoted saying:
"The main message for America is: Wake up and quit trying to delegate everything. Weigh in on the subject, get involved. Because as much as we like to blame our politicians, I think all of us are guilty as sin of not participating enough in the maintenance of this country."
Maybe we're sticking it to ourselves.
*Chantal de la Rionda edits this blog
