The "sorry people," then and now

Recently, while watching an episode of the classic western Bonanza, I was reminded of just how far our society has not come since the innocent days of early television. For both its genre and its era, Bonanza was about as socially progressive as a program could be. That does not mean, however, that it would get high marks from today's political and cultural elites. This particular episode was a case in point. Hoss, the physically imposing but bighearted middle brother of the Carwright clan, helps a diminutive ne'er-do-well named Jock get a job as an assistant tax assessor. Thrilled at the prospect of making a decent living for the first time in his life, Jock dives into his new job with gusto, wildly over-assessing local properties, beginning with the Cartwrights' beloved Pondersosa ranch. 

As might be expected, the over-zealous taxman's activities send the townsfolk into a rage. Things come to a head when the women of Virginia City chase Jock back to his run-down home and are dissuaded from lynching him only out of sympathy for his pregnant wife.

Seeking to prevent any further damage, the Cartwrights hold a family conference. Since he feels the whole situation is his fault, Hoss offers to handle it himself. Ben, the wise patriarch, discourages this and says the family should work things out together. "The trouble with Jock is, he's one of the sorry people," Ben observes. That, of course, is a line which could never pass muster in today's hyper-sensitive media culture. 

The "sorry people," as Ben explains, are people who are content to be shiftless and idle. "The main trouble with the sorry people, though," Ben continues, "is if someone throws a little prosperity their way or a little authority . . . they become obnoxious."

Ultimately, the Cartwrights outsmart this pitiful soul by exploiting his weakness for gambling. They trick him into betting "two years' salary" on a horse they know will lose but Jock is convinced will win. After the inevitable happens, Ben tells Jock that since "two years' salary" was a non-specific amount, Jock will owe him nothing if he quits his job and returns home to his wife and newborn baby.

The problem this episode would pose for today's political and cultural elites, most notably the current occupant of the White House, is that it would hit too close to home. Who are today's "sorry people" if not those who have accomplished next to nothing but believe they are entitled to everything? It is not altogether cynical to say that these are sorry times for our nation because the "sorry people" have been given authority and have, characteristically, become quite obnoxious.