People in Charge

Is it just me or are there some people who happen to be in charge of other people(for one reason or other) they just seem to be total nit wits (that is putting it mildly). For instance, people in authority having to lord it over your head by getting you to do what they want you to do by threating your job. What is with these people? Can't they be nice? I know firsthand because I work for a big company and the new manager has said on several occations that I might be terminated if I said something or did some thing that he happened not to like. I also know that he does this to several people, because a couple of people have told me the same thing. It is just not right..I work there for a living and sometimes I feel like I am walking on eggshells....