One Man's Rebuke

    “Get a job!” shouted the man. The object of his reproach was a crowd of demonstrators. They lined the opposite side of a street in Toledo, Ohio.
   His anger was understandable. The demonstrators were more than loud. They were obnoxious. Led by someone with a bullhorn, they lambasted people lining up for a political rally. Profanities were uttered by the demonstrators. It happened during the last presidential campaign.
    At first glance, the man was outmatched. He was one person against a crowd. And he didn’t have a bullhorn. He used one weapon in this verbal battle.
    It was his slogan.
    'Get a job!’ is an powerful castigation. Another variation is ‘Get a Life!’
    The life version accuses people of being useless to themselves. The job variation has more bite. It accuses people of being useless to society.
    I am not advocating insults. Civility is the way to go. But I must confess that I was pleased when this man—this counter demonstrator—unleashed his repartee.
    Get a job! is an effective rebuke.