i know the topic is generally understood to be l ron hubbard, but i think it's an oversimplification to state as much - i don't think there's a specific target. it's about the martyr archetype, in general. and, i think it's actually very easily applied to a number of targets that aren't generally spoken of - politicians, the military and perhaps the crux of american culture, itself.

the song itself is pretty obvious, but the line that's always struck me as most important in determining it's intended target is this one:

don't you step out of line

that's military language, and evokes the imagery of an officer attacking his superior. it's always led me to the conclusion that this is some kind of an anti-war song - a criticism of american war culture, and this idea of the soldier as martyr.