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

becuse thr man worked fr yu

Step-by-step explanation:

Answer 2

Because the man worked for it.

Step-by-step explanation:

Harburg feels it is a legitimate question because it goes beyond a man just begging for alms to fend for himself. The man played a pivotal role in creating the wealth that circulates the economy, he took part in keeping the society safe, he grew up in the society and contributed his quota to seeing it better. However, now he has to wait in line to partake of a wealth he helped create. So the question goes beyond him asking for what to fend for himself with, it is also him asking for what should be his by virtue of labour.