> A third factor is the macrocosm in the United States ...

Shouldn't the divisiveness you mention be something that folk songwriters address? _{(Yeah, this is branching out somewhat from the thread topic, but if we heal the society, the Mudcat will surely follow.)}

Right now, I'm mostly in a position of a-pox-on-both-your-houses regarding both major parties, which is great for making punchlines, but no so much so for making a liveable world.

So isn't reconciliation part of the folk music community's job?