January 13, 2011

Misplaced Anger

In the wake of the Tucson shooting, there is a lot of talk in the media about too much angry and violent words. A larger problem is misplaced anger and no outlets for legitimate anger.

Let's take as an example a man who works in the private sector. His job doesn't pay very well with low benefits, and his employer provides no benefits. This man should be angry at his employer for not treating him better. But if he expresses anger at the employer, he'll lose his job. Instead he focuses his anger at other targets, such as unions, government employees, welfare recipients, and immigrants. Or he may take his anger out on his family.

What this man needs is a way to express his anger at the people causing his anger and get the anger out before he goes on a killing spree. But I can't imagine many bosses letting the people they manage scream at them.