Steinbeck understood the problems we face

[Donnachaidh]

“Socialism never took root in America because the poor see themselves not as an exploited proletariat, but as temporarily embarrassed millionaires.”
— John Steinbeck

[Harry J Asslinger]

1. Captures it perfectly.

[Donnachaidh]

3. welcome to DU! n/t

[Harry J Asslinger]

8. Thanks!

[RKP5637]

2. Absolutely true, and sadly the Rs really know how to push their buttons for a vote!

[Brother Buzz]

4. Tom Joad totally understood and set out to make a difference

I'll be all around in the dark. I'll be everywhere. Wherever you can look, wherever there's a fight, so hungry people can eat, I'll be there. Wherever there's a cop beatin' up a guy, I'll be there. I'll be in the way guys yell when they're mad. I'll be in the way kids laugh when they're hungry and they know supper's ready, and when the people are eatin' the stuff they raise and livin' in the houses they build, I'll be there, too. - Tom Joad

Ma was comforted and soon discovered her resolve:

I ain't never gonna be scared no more. I was, though. For a while it looked as though we was beat. Good and beat. Looked like we didn't have nobody in the whole wide world but enemies. Like nobody was friendly no more. Made me feel kinda bad and scared too, like we was lost and nobody cared.... Rich fellas come up and they die, and their kids ain't no good and they die out, but we keep on coming. We're the people that live. They can't wipe us out, they can't lick us. We'll go on forever, Pa, cos we're the people.

[PufPuf23]

5. Americans cannot read enough Steinbeck.

Steinbeck like Twain was timeless in perspective and truly "American exceptional perspective" (my term).

Thanks.

Edit: Add Philip K Dick for a prematurely Post Modern USA.

[liberal N proud]

6. That dose explain why people vote against their own best interest

They all think that one day they too will be rich.

The American Dream is a myth designed to support that mentality.

[whathehell]

7. I like Steinbeck, but that line is exaggeration and snark...The fact is,

many thought FDR"s New Deal was socialism...and needless, to say, it was very popular,

as are it's programs which continue and WILL continue, reich wing mofos be damned.

[MouseFitzgerald]

9. One of the best quotes ever

[Donnachaidh]

10. welcome to DU Mouse! n/t