Thinking about British banter, and it can be summarised by: 'You mug! You wally! If you just followed all the rules, agreed with whoever was in power (in whatever heirarchy is being discussed), and did what you were told, you could have everything you want!'
The issue always arises where exceptions need to be made in the order of human decency, which is considered a laughable position. You can never defeat the red tape. You must succumb to the tape. Only fools desist.