Chords for Change (Springsteen's Op Ed piece in the NYT today)

The New York Times

[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.

[cubreporter]

"I have never liked that yankee jerk and now I know why....He is a moron!"

I watched that fool last night on "Nightline"...can't even imagine why I ever liked him or his so-called music. I guess maybe I've matured and he hasn't.

HEY....I am a Yankee.
I am NOT a jerk.
I have family back in New Jersey and they aren't Yankee Jerks either. So, with that said...
I am waaaay ahead of you. I never DID listen to his music. Glad you matured.

[cubreporter]

"I have never liked that yankee jerk and now I know why....He is a moron!"

I watched that fool last night on "Nightline"...can't even imagine why I ever liked him or his so-called music. I guess maybe I've matured and he hasn't.

HEY....I am a Yankee.
I am NOT a jerk.
I have family back in New Jersey and they aren't Yankee Jerks either. So, with that said...
I am waaaay ahead of you. I never DID listen to his music. Glad you matured.

[stop_fascism]

I've tried to write songs that speak to our pride

Can anyone think of one song that speaks to our pride. Maybe Rosilita, maybe.

[MississippiMan]

...threatens to destroy our social contract with one another and render mute the promise of "one nation indivisible."

Wish someone would render Bruce MUTE. He's already MOOT.

And, WHAT social contract? I don't remember entering into one myself.

I have no doubt that Bruce lives a normal middle-class existence so he can personally help raise a few thousand people out of poverty each year. [koff,koff]

MM

[jejones]

Anyone care to guess whether Mr. Springsteen sends any extra money in to the IRS, in view of his feeling that taxes on rich guitar players are too low?

[Pagey]

"...John Kerry and John Edwards...They understand that we need an administration that places a priority on fairness..."

There is that Hellish word again. Fairness.Go back to your Beverly Hills home and shake yourself Bruce while I ponder this dogbarf of an article. (May I please point out that his initials are also "B.S.") You sir, are 100% full of it and waaaaaaay too full of yourself.

Lets see what P.J. O'Rourke has to say about FAIRNESS, shall we Bruce?

.....Fairness is probably a good thing in Marriage.
And at the daycare center.
It's a nice little domestic virtue.
But a liking for fairness is not that noble a sentiment.
Fairness doesn't rank with Charity,Love,Duty or Self Sacrifice.
And there is always a tinge of self seeking in making sure things are fair.
"Don't you go trying to get one up on me"!!!

[exile]

Same old simpleminded "give peace a chance" garbage. I don't think Comrade Springsteen will be splitting the atom any time soon.

On a positive note, it is a real treat to see the left with their panties in a bunch. They're getting desperate.

[Taliesan]

the division of wealth that threatens to destroy our social contract with one another

Dear Bruce:

I have only one house. Send me money. Or shut up.

Your contractee,

-T

[dasein64]

It boils down to MONEY. Rush said today that George Sorros, thru Moveon.org is financing the deal. And is it just a coincidence that rock groups are already going about America spewing hatred toward Pres Bush and pleading with their young audiences to register and vote him out of office? America's entertainment industry is for sale to the highest bidder. Do the RATS think that they can take Sorros millions and not be controlled by him? These unappreciative fools vilify the one man, Pres Bush, who is making America safe for them to exist. May they reap what they sow in their own miserable lives.

[Aquinasfan]

Why does the fulfillment of our promise as a people always seem to be just within grasp yet forever out of reach?

Utopian quests lead to the gulag.

[Kozak]

Ya. Just shut up and sing. I want political advice from musicians and actors like I want investment advice from clowns and waiters.

[Kozak]

I'll wager $1000 that B.S. has not given his tax cut back to the government, nor to any charity.

And I'll wager $1,000 that he pays lower tax rate then I do. These A-holes are the first to use all those lovely tax shelters and dodges to avoid the taxes they wish on the rest of us.

[Kackikat]

Good Job, if I owned any of their cd's, music I would do same thing. I am now glad I never bought any.

[Flashman_at_the_charge]

Personally, for the last 25 years I have always stayed one step away from partisan politics.

Oh really?

Springsteen Calls for Bush's Impeachment

…..

"It's time to impeach the president and get a man in there to get us out of this mess," the Boss allegedly roared, according to FreeRepublic.com's Kristinn Taylor, co-leader of the group's D.C. chapter.

…..

According to the Boston Herald, he closed the show by plugging Al Franken's latest Republican-bashing book.

…..

[GOP Soccer Mom]

What did the Times have to say back when Toby Keith released his Angry American song?

Some of these people are ruining my music experience here. I haven't been able to enjoy my Bon Jovi albums in a while lately, and same goes for my Springstien stuff. :(

On the other hand, I have been building up quite the collection of country albums, without the Dixie Chicks.

[Borges]

a nation's artists and musicians have a particular place in its social and political life. yeah, a couple rungs lower than prostitutes. You don't think artists have played a vital role in western civilization? you'd rank them with prostitutes?

[GOP Soccer Mom]

If anyone is interested, I've got a real collector's item: Bruce Springsteen's Live 1975-85 box set -- the original LPs, without a single scratch on them (in fact, they've never been played in nearly 20 years).

It's been that long? Geez, I bought that for my first boyfriend in high school. He was a HUGE fan of The Boss. (And, if you've ever seen him in concert, he is pretty good live.) That makes me feel old.

Come to think of it...I was a liberal back then and saw him at the Human Rights Now concert in Philly. (You know what they say...if you aren't a liberal when you're 18, you have no heart. If you aren't a conservative by the time you're 25, you have no brain.)

[GOP Soccer Mom]

Dave Matthews Band has been on my list (sadly, the music is pretty good) since they did a fundraiser for Planned Parenthood.

Anyone know why PP needs fundraisers when they run profits? (I know, I know...different thread.)