I don't see anything much in the Dylan I have from time to time been forced to listen to that recalls Guthrie's inspired political song. I do hear quite a bit of "oh it's not fair your mum and dad they fuck you up and the world will be better when I rule it".

Neither of course are folk song.

The sense of entitlement that LH abhors may well have been born out of the fact that English language folk song was born in the UK - and was part of the patrimony of those he found boring.

That's not to say that there can't be good contemporary songs. There are many. But I'd have thought it appropriate at least if going to a folk club to sing a folk song or two to establish one's bona fides, before doing something else - no matter how brilliant.

Going and raiding folk songs (EG Nottamun Town) to write an "original song" "Masters of War" using its tune surely deserved disapprobation.

Did not the Beatles go to Liverpool folk clubs and say "Here's a Leadbelly Song" before launching into an acoustic "Twist and Shout" (or whatever). If not maybe it's a myth they propagated themselves.