Question

Read the excerpt from the interview with E.Y. (Yip) Harburg. The prevailing greeting at that time, on every block you passed, by some poor guy coming up, was: “Can you spare a dime?” Or: “Can you spare something for a cup of coffee?” . . . “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?” finally hit on every block, on every street. I thought that could be a beautiful title. If I could only work it out by telling people, through the song, it isn’t just a man asking for a dime. This is the man who says: I built the railroads. I built that tower. I fought your wars. I was the kid with the drum. Why the hell should I be standing in line now? What happened to all this wealth I created? Why does Harburg feel that “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?” is a legitimate question, not just a plea from a beggar?

Answer 1

Answer: With their hard work, these individuals had invested in their country and they deserved to be suitably rewarded.

In this passage, the author states that the question "Brother, can you spare a dime?" goes beyond a plea from a beggar. In fact, it is a legitimate question we should all be asking ourselves. The reason why the author thinks this is the case is because people who are now beggars had a lot to do with our wealth. He argues that they were soldiers, children, builders, all characters who allowed the country to be what it is now. We have benefitted from their past work and they deserve to be rewarded for their contribution.

Answer 2

Answer: With their hard work, these individuals had invested in their country and they deserved to be suitably rewarded.