I adored this story. The nervous, yet effective "everyman" was very endearing. It was nice to read a story about an individual who did not let power corrupt him. I admit, as a government employee myself, and as someone who could get paid a lot more in the private sector, it was really nice to hear this tale about a man who is doing what I believe most of the people in my office and our entire department are actually about; serving the public and trying to make life in our country better. The fact that he was continually nervous and not at all pleased with his work made him feel real to me, as well. It is actually really hard to go up to someone and say, "Hey, I know you have the best intentions, but your ideas aren't working, so we're going to do something different." The angry fat #1 was quite the cliche, but man, is it fun to hate on him, or what? Great job to the narrator as well. He is a talent!
For once, I am going to whole heartedly disagree with Alasdair's outro. I don't think that this story does not apply in the real world at all. You just have to look at the American congress to see that the exact problem in this story, politicians trying to regulate and control industries that they have no idea about, is still going on. Women's Health, environmental reform, basic economics; these are all things that politicians today, right now, are passing laws and either cutting or spending too much money on, and they don't know enough about these fields to really be effective. I could see where this story is antiquated in relation to Communism, but in the way of politics, I sadly think that this story is still quite relevant.
In addition, I didn't see this story as just one man making the difference. Without all the other workers, engineers, farmers, and the other regular people, he would've been a dud. He was just gathering the voices of the people, a powerful speakerphone for the community. I think that's inspiring, and again, still relevant to today's political world. If enough people stand up and make their opinions known, we sure as hell can make a difference. We don't have to be brave or smart or rich. This story's message, from what I understood, was that all you need to do is listen, especially if you are lucky enough to be in a position where you can actually do something about it.