I am absolutely amazed that you did not mention Phil Ochs in your original posting. In my opinion, Phil was THE topical songwriter of the 20th century. If there is such a genre within the field of folk as the topical song, then Phil personified it. He wrote about the burning issues of the day and never pulled his punches. His uncompromising criticism, particularly of American foreign policy made him very powerful enemies, and this undoubtedly contributed to his lack of exposure on TV and Radio. As he once quipped himself, "A protest song is one you don't hear on the radio".