Springsteen's "Ghost of Tom Joad" could have been written for today.

[I Have A Dream]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DEtA5fhk4k

:(

[kdmorris]

1. Sad, isn't it, that it still applies after all these years?

Of course, the song is about a person who was created back by John Steinbeck back in 1939. When I start thinking that the plight of the poor and downtrodden hasn't changed AT ALL in the amount of time, I start losing faith in humanity.

I never knew Springsteen wrote that song. I've only hear the RATM version and assumed they had written it. It's a much angrier, in-your-face song, but I like both versions.

[I Have A Dream]

2. Yes, Springsteen wrote it after watching "The Grapes of Wrath".

The sad thing is that, in my opinion, things had seemed to be getting better for a while. It wasn't until Reagan that they started going backwards again until we're now back to where we were during the Dustbowl era. There is no longer a safety net of any kind after unemployment benefits run out.

[kdmorris]

3. Unfortunately, I became aware of things

only when the Reagan era got started (was 10 years old in 1979, but we spent 1974 - 1979 in Italy (Navy Brat)).

I spent 5 years on welfare when Clinton was in office. It was pretty bad, the way I was treated when I used food stamps, when I couldn't afford things for my daughters.

I can only imagine how horrifying it must be to be poor now. So much worse than it was 15 years ago.

[I Have A Dream]

5. I'm sorry that you were treated as you were, kdmorris.

So many people have no empathy. :(

:hug:

[wiggs]

4. Great song...saw it live. nt

[I Have A Dream]

6. Lucky you!

:)

[sarcasmo]

7. Rage against the Machine does a great cover of this song.

[I Have A Dream]

8. I heard that they have. I'm going to check it out now.

Thanks!