Posted on 08/05/2004 10:13:10 AM PDT by Borges
New York Times August 5, 2004 OP-ED CONTRIBUTOR
Chords for Change By BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN
nation's artists and musicians have a particular place in its social and political life. Over the years I've tried to think long and hard about what it means to be American: about the distinctive identity and position we have in the world, and how that position is best carried. I've tried to write songs that speak to our pride and criticize our failures.
These questions are at the heart of this election: who we are, what we stand for, why we fight. Personally, for the last 25 years I have always stayed one step away from partisan politics. Instead, I have been partisan about a set of ideals: economic justice, civil rights, a humane foreign policy, freedom and a decent life for all of our citizens. This year, however, for many of us the stakes have risen too high to sit this election out.
Through my work, I've always tried to ask hard questions. Why is it that the wealthiest nation in the world finds it so hard to keep its promise and faith with its weakest citizens? Why do we continue to find it so difficult to see beyond the veil of race? How do we conduct ourselves during difficult times without killing the things we hold dear? Why does the fulfillment of our promise as a people always seem to be just within grasp yet forever out of reach?
I don't think John Kerry and John Edwards have all the answers. I do believe they are sincerely interested in asking the right questions and working their way toward honest solutions. They understand that we need an administration that places a priority on fairness, curiosity, openness, humility, concern for all America's citizens, courage and faith.
People have different notions of these values, and they live them out in different ways. I've tried to sing about some of them in my songs. But I have my own ideas about what they mean, too. That is why I plan to join with many fellow artists, including the Dave Matthews Band, Pearl Jam, R.E.M., the Dixie Chicks, Jurassic 5, James Taylor and Jackson Browne, in touring the country this October. We will be performing under the umbrella of a new group called Vote for Change. Our goal is to change the direction of the government and change the current administration come November.
Like many others, in the aftermath of 9/11, I felt the country's unity. I don't remember anything quite like it. I supported the decision to enter Afghanistan and I hoped that the seriousness of the times would bring forth strength, humility and wisdom in our leaders. Instead, we dived headlong into an unnecessary war in Iraq, offering up the lives of our young men and women under circumstances that are now discredited. We ran record deficits, while simultaneously cutting and squeezing services like afterschool programs. We granted tax cuts to the richest 1 percent (corporate bigwigs, well-to-do guitar players), increasing the division of wealth that threatens to destroy our social contract with one another and render mute the promise of "one nation indivisible."
It is through the truthful exercising of the best of human qualities - respect for others, honesty about ourselves, faith in our ideals - that we come to life in God's eyes. It is how our soul, as a nation and as individuals, is revealed. Our American government has strayed too far from American values. It is time to move forward. The country we carry in our hearts is waiting.
Bruce Springsteen is a writer and performer.
Brucie: "Over the years I've tried to think ..."
I wonder who wrote this for him.
If you want singers to shut up and sing vote for Bush. If Kerry wins you will never hear the end of the political opinions of pop-stars..
"Bruce Springsteen is a writer and performer."
Should be "Bruce Springsteen is a blowhard and has been."
Bruce, Bruce, Bruce - DO try and keep up, eh?
Honest solutions - a Senator who missed 39 of 48 meetings of the Security committe while he was on it - who has only made somewhere neaar 17 % of the votes in the Senate this year, who's wife will not divilge her true net worth, and an ambulance chasing attorney who made millions in litigation on spurious charges.
Oh boy, here we go with the rockers now.
Honest solutions - a Senator who missed 39 of 48 meetings of the Security committe while he was on it - who has only made somewhere neaar 17 % of the votes in the Senate this year, who's wife will not divilge her true net worth, and an ambulance chasing attorney who made millions in litigation on spurious charges.
Oh boy, here we go with the rockers now.
I'll wager $1000 that B.S. has not given his tax cut back to the government, nor to any charity.
Where do all these "enlightened" people get their information?
Wouldn't these "concerts" be considered soft money issue adds?
I never did like that guy....just something about him.
This is my letter to the record companies... I sent out to many today.
Yesterday, I took 19 cd’s of Willie Nelson, Jimmy Buffet, and James Taylor to a used cd store and sold them. We have a collection of over 200 different ones, so I may be going back if I have anymore of those who speak out in this concert against President Bush or any concert for that matter. I was given $38.00 (of which I originally spent $255.00) and I sent it to the RNC. Before when Natalie Maines, of the Dixie Chicks spoke out her views I sent my cd's to her record company. But this time, I did not want to spend any more of my hard earned money mailing them back. I am sick and tired of the artist who will just not shut up and sing. I am tired of the smear campaign they are involved in against President Bush, and most of all during this time we are at war. They are aiding the enemy in their hate and rage. My husband and I have spent many hundreds of dollars going to the above concerts many times and I will NEVER listen to another one of their songs again. After our last Willie concert, he was so stoned he could not remember the words to Beer for my Horse, that should have taught us something!
I am upset and will use my ability as a consumer to not support them. Yes, they have a right to speak their mind, and they have over and over. We have our right as a consumer to not support them and their beliefs. We have men and women who are in harms way and the more these types of hate concerts go on the more it aids the people who want to destroy us. The real heroes in my mind are our military and their families.
I am one person, but I know many who feel the same way I do. You might wonder why Fox News ratings are so high. It is because they give a fair and balanced reporting instead of NBC, ABC, CBS, MSNBC, CNN, and almost all newspapers biased view. We are a split country and I fully support President Bush, no matter how many of the so called Elitist is using their fame to flame him.
You all are forgetting who pays part of your bills. I know that James Taylor has royalties and is ok for life, but he lost one of his big fans, in me. His decision to go out on this 30 something concert, in swing states during October, has sent me away from him and all the others for good. I also have had to stop going to movies with stars that are so public in their hate and anger against President Bush and my conservative values.
Thank God, we have XM radio now and we can choose our stations and what music we listen to while traveling in our car. Because when they play any of the blabbing anti- American artist songs, (YES, I said anti- American) artist, we will flip the channel.
Isn't America Great? We have a choice to not buy or go see their concerts or movies. If and when it hurts their pocket books, maybe they will realize who they have alienated by being so bluntly public in their political views. You all can have the Michael Moore’s and propaganda of the world. I will take President Bush and his family along with our values as my agenda.
God Bless America- and God Bless President Bush, his family and his cabinet.
Bubble boy. With all the time and money on his hands he is unable to see outside his bubble, unable to get a minimum amount of perspective. Instead, he regurgitates the same old talking points, the same old platitudes and banalities, the same old cliches of infantile post-marxism, the same old pedestrianism thoughts. A "new Dylan" this boy ain't! A pity.
Bruthe is delusional.
As a rural homeschooler, I've enjoyed the last four years free from gummint interference in the education of the children entrusted to our stewardship by God.
When Klinton-Reno reigned, we had at least one fire drill every year to combat federal encroachment upon our God-given right to direct the educations of our own children.
As a gun-owner in a rural community, we've enjoyed the last four years with NOT ONE attack on our right to keep and bear arms in defense of ourselves and our families.
When Klinton-Reno reigned, we had to fight bill-after-bill-after-bill-after-bill written to infringe upon that sacred right.
As a homeowner and taxpayer, I've seen some serious reduction of my federal tax burden over the last four years.
When Klinton-Reno reigned, we endured the largest tax increase in American history.
For me it's a no-brainer.
I don't know how ANY homeschooler, gunowner, or homeowner could vote for a Democrat after the abuses we've suffered at their hands.
"Over the years I've tried to think ..."
Obviously his struggle to come to a reasoned conclusion has not ended.
Oh!
Of course! It's all so clear...so lucid to me right now! How could I have been so foolish for so long!??
Thank you, Bruce Springsteen! Thank you, for finally setting me straight! I had no idea how wrong I was until Bruce Springsteen, the one and only, the pinnacle of wisdom, the pillar of political aptitude set me to rights!
Wow! I feel so freaking enlightened!
(oozing with sarcasm, in case you can't tell)
They are useful, very useful, in that if they are for it, most everyone is probably, and sensibly, against it. The converse is also true. Ordinary Americans aren't the unsophisticated hicks they try to brand. Nice try though.
Dear Bruce,
Love your (old) music. Please shut up and sing!
ps you seem to have forgotten that you busted your tail from nowheresville to "make it" and, contrary to the appearances surrounding you in your current lifestyle, not everyone has 4 Bentley's in the garage of their summer home!
Give the Times credit for Honesty. They didn't say...Musician...lol
What an arrogant and pompous SOB.
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