As some of you know, I accepted a job last winter that I was excited about.  I was sure I was going to change things at that place.  Well, I did.  
Early summer, I quit.  I didn't mention it before because the confrontation bothers me more than most people  but I won't back down from what I believe in.
My boss told me I had a job outside changing the garden centre and I was to work part time only.  I ended up working full time, over-time in a windowless 'dungeon' at cash??? (I rather be with plants than people).  His wife didn't want me with her outside.  I knew more than her about plants and she was all about being number #1 in the garden centre.
Then the day, my boss was hollering and being nasty to everybody.  I wanted to be outside so badly, but I was waiting on a customer, and he came up to me screaming, red faced, eyes buldging, telling me to go outside.  I was told by more experienced employees that his behavior was the norm.  I explained to the whole staff that his behavior is not normal, no one should have to put up with it, and we are better than that, and so I quit the next day.  My husband had to drive me to work, and I almost threw up, telling my boss exactly why I was quitting.  
I did make a difference but not in the way I thought I would.  2 of the long-term staff (staff of 5) quit within 2 weeks of my quiting. Thanks to the gods, goddesses from above, that these people got some backbone.  
I know that I am not the norm.  I was able to quit without undue hardship to the family.  But I was in that circumstance before and I refused to quit.  
To the people that are in bad situations at their job:   DO NOT accept it.  I never did.  When I needed a job, and had a bad boss, I did research on firing, laying off, what was acceptable.  I put myself in the position that he had to lay me off or keep me on my terms.  My work ethics won.  I thought that if he had laid me off, then I would have upgraded my education for a better paying job.  I know exactly what it's like to live from paycheck to paycheck.  DO NOT accept bad behavior from your boss.
Hopefully, this will help somebody who feels that they're in a hopeless situation.  YOU CAN do it.  YOU CAN better your life without that stupid !@#$ of a boss.

Good for you Marigold!!  People can't treat you badly unless you allow them to.  I hope your old boss wises up!  And good luck finding something better.