People buckle because they are victims of NEEDS. If I didn't have marketable skills, or if I existed in a market which was oversaturated with people as skilled as myself, sure, I could argue with my boss or exercise my powers, but that means risking a job loss. I'd be replaced by someone as capable, but with less inclination to argue. My 'wants' might include such things as, "being able to eat," and, "not sleeping on the street." Sure, it's possible to get overzealous with one's aspirations for physical goods, but I think that overlooks the authentic fear that many people have over being in a precarious financial situation.