Isn't that "no true scotsman"? Everyone works for the man, at some level. Steve Jobs works for the man (his shareholders). Barak Obama works for the Man (his backers).
Some do, some don't. If you manage to make your living doing what you believe in and not dancing to the tune of $ or clients, you are 'the man'. But I guess most of us don't have that luxury.
If you are self-employed (the situation we're discussing), and you work for the man (your assertion), then by logical deduction you are the man — which is what I said.
You're having a major case of the "whoosh". In the context of this conversation, if you are self-employed and/or own your own company, then "the man" is the government, your clients, possibly even your suppliers.
