L for sure I even used my fingassssssss
This excerpt best emphasizes the way that Americans felt abandoned by the wealthy elite and government: "<span>Say, don't you remember, they called me Al— It was Al all the time. Why don't you remember, I'm your pal— Buddy, can you spare a dime?"
Forgetting someone from the past is completely forgetting what has been. The excerpt uses the metaphor of having a friend from the past that a person forgot already because the person has seen better opportunities or is higher up in the rank. Much the same as how the elite and the government treat those people who are part of the masses. </span>
Rule of thumb is a guide or refs principle of some sort. For example, "as a rule of thumb, I do not begin big projects until the weekend." I hope this helps.