I think there are plenty of protest songs around now, but it's a more fragmented set of issues than might have existed in the too-fondly-remembered 1960's. Back then there were a few core issues -- anti-war, civil rights, one or two others -- about which there were clear divisions and "sides," that served as the basis for most of the protest songs people were familiar with. I'm not sure there's quite that degree of consistency in the bewildering number of issues that people might want to write about now.

With relatively few exceptions, "protest" music is not one of my favorite types. It's often an invitation to be simplistic -- longer than a bumper sticker, but with a similar black hats/white hats outlook. I'd rather listen to songs about deeper human themes, and try to relate their lessons to the issues of the day. I think some of our greatest "protest" singers (Bob Dylan, f'rinstance) have ended up thinking this way as well.