Bruce Springsteen: OWS Inspired Newt Gingrich‘s ’Vulture Capitalism’ Rhetoric
- Posted on February 20, 2012 at 10:27am by
Billy Hallowell
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Singer Bruce Springsteen (AP)
Over the weekend, singer Bruce Springsteen was in Paris, France, where he introduced his album “Wrecking Ball” to reporters. But rather than focusing solely upon his music, he used the press conference as an opportunity to delve into his leftist political views. Of course, he also took a bit of time to shower praise upon the Occupy movement, while crediting it with inspiring some of GOP presidential contender Newt Gingrich’s rhetoric.
“Previous to Occupy Wall Street, there was no push back at all saying this was outrageous — a basic theft that struck at the heart of what America was about, a complete disregard for the American sense of history and community,” he said. ”The temper has changed. And people on the streets did it. Occupy Wall Street changed the national conversation — the Tea Party had set it for a while. The first three years of Obama were under them.”
These comments weren’t surprising, though. After all, Springsteen has a history of leftist allegiances. It was what came next that is particularly noteworthy.
“Nobody had talked about income inequality in America for decades — apart from John Edwards — but no one was listening,” he continued. “But now you have Newt Gingrich talking about ‘vulture capitalism’ — Newt Gingrich! — that would not have happened without Occupy Wall Street.”
While he won’t be campaigning for Obama during the 2012 campaign, here‘s what Springsteen had to say about the president’s performance thus far:
“He kept General Motors alive, he got through healthcare—though not the public system I would have wanted—he killed Osama Bin Laden, and he brought sanity to the top level of government. But big business still has too much say in government and there has not been as many middle- or working-class voices in the administration as I expected. I thought Guantanamo would have been closed but now, but he got us out of Iraq and I guess we will soon be out of Afghanistan.”
Watch Springsteen discuss his politically-charged album, below:
(H/T: Gothamist)



















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Comments (243)
mikellyusabr
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 10:57amSo Newt is scaring them?
Heh.
I thought they said he was dead in the water…
Report Post »smokeysmoke
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 11:02amya its funny how bruce is that 1%er who is making people pay huge sums of money to see a crappy perfomer waste everybodys time… talk about vulture capitalism… why not have free shows bruce, music should be free… you should share your gift, why be such a 1%er
Report Post »000degrees
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 11:12amYet another celeb genius…Maybe Rosie’s runningmate…
Report Post »Wakeup Maggie
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 11:13amHe sucks
Report Post »TomFerrari
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 11:17am“WRECKING BALL” ???
Come on, people! STOP giving credibility to these shiftless protesters!
BS now has Wrecking Ball.
Levis wants to be the uniform of a “REVOLUTION.”
Axe cologne has a new fragrance called, “ANARCHY”
This is simple GREED. Captializing on a misguided movement.
While I support capitalism, I absolutely disavow PROMOTING ANARCHY by embracing an anarchist movement, let alone one that seeks a marxist, socialist nation, wherein the protesters will be ENTITLED to the fruit of YOUR LABOR !
“Get a job, right after you take a shower.”
( Walking through a mall in North Carolina this week, I saw SEVEN help wanted signs is various store windows ! )
ALL WELFARE should be WORKfare. – If you get a handout, you should be REQUIRED to work 40 hours a week for it. It can be sweeping the courthouse floors, which have already been swept 6 times. It can be picking up trash along the highway. But, EVERYONE should HAVE to do something in return for their 40 hours.
The PURPOSE of this is, when a job that pays $8.75 an hour comes along, they will JUMP ON IT !
Because they are already working 40 hours for a handout of $2 or $5 or whatever it calculates to be.
As it is today, they can sit home and do NOTHING for $2 or $5 an hour.
If a job comes along, & offers $8.75 per hour, they say, “I get $5 an hour for doing nothing. Why go work to earn $100/week BEFORE taxes, take out gas or busfare. Why do it?”
It would also save us money on those services!
WORK
Report Post »smithclar3nc3
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 11:21amYeah bruce let’s talk income equality…fact is the median public sector worker inome is alomost double the median income of a private sector worker doing the same job……those who actually pay taxes are making less than those who are paid with taxes….
Report Post »THERE SOME INCOME INEQUALITY FOR YOUR A55 BRUCE
HKS
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 11:29amDid those talking points come from da furor?
Report Post »cessna152
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 11:30amAs a fellow musician, Bruce…your music sucks and you’re the 1% VULTURE capitalist with grunting, bubble gum 2-chord songs. Fraud!!!!
Report Post »INOGAWD
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 11:36amYa, Fire the BOSS !! he can F‘OFF as far as I’m concerned..
Report Post »Hate the Country and People that made you RICH, GOOD GAWD !!
Has just turned into another Useful Idiot Celebrity TOOL for Bama..
NHwinter
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 11:38amBruce is a liberal has been.
Report Post »traderlinq
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 11:55amWell said…one rhetorical question is all it takes…
Report Post »ishka4me
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 12:03pmStossel showed how bruce was using tax cheats to not pay taxes.
Report Post »MAULEMALL
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 12:09pmjust another brave draft dodgeing turd
Report Post »hightide
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 12:12pmI wonder if everyone in Bruce’s band make the same amount? What about the roadies, do they make what Bruce does? Hypocrites.
Report Post »disenlightened
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 12:41pmBruce is from Jersey, you know. They call him the Boss. He’s totally blue collar . . . except for when he’s a multimillionaire, limousine liberal. He’s written the same three songs over and over and over again for twenty-five years, simply changing the lyrics a little here and a little there. That’s why every Springsteen song sounds familiar. He owns some land he pretends is a farm. He collects federal subsidies, our tax dollars, for not actually farming it. He was a fraud in the early days, and he’s a fraud now.
Report Post »robert
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 12:51pm“Nobody had talked about income inequality in America for decades…”
And so a multimillionaire is going to do it? Someone who is paid millions for talent and effort that is minimal at best?
Obviously, he feels guilty for raking in so much money without putting in any real work to get it.
I think the fat cats are too greedy and fat myself, but I don’t think these wealthy types have any business criticizing the situation, unless they’re turning over their vast fortunes to those who really need it.
Show us how much you care, Bruce baby. Absolve yourself of a few million and give it to needy people who have to work hard to make a living.
Report Post »wrecklessdischarge
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 1:07pmSo since Bruce is for income equality I guess that means his crew members get paid the same as him. It would be unfair if the guy who wrote the sings and created the brand got paid more than the average laborer who runs cable or tunes guitars right
Report Post »?
I support God's Israel!
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 1:32pmIt is SO easy to be an arm-chair quarterback while you are raking in tons of money off the backs of the poor, especially charging them $$ and then telling them what they want to hear.
What a fool Brucie is. He is a closet capitalist.
Report Post »Ray2447
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 1:37pmHe talks about “income equality” like he believes in it, then takes farm subsidies from the poor and middle class taxpayers to pile on top of the millions he already has. What a stinking pile of hypocrisy he preaches. http://tinyurl.com/c9s6qxf
And as far as music, he sounds to me like old Billy Goat, bleating, while chewing on a tin can.
Report Post »Therightsofbilly
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 3:07pmBut just look at how serious and thoughtful and deliberate he looks all the time.
Surely he is sincere, no?
NO
Report Post »Hobbs57
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 3:13pmHow in the world did you get they are afraid of Newt out of that ? If anything , it is because the progressive pig made the baseless argument for them, having a “Propagandized ” video made so the left could be all over class warfare. Newt is a a pathetic human being with no class. Seem all narcissist are this way. I find it funny all the comments attacking Bruce, will it was little Mr Angry Tubbie who caused such these words to even be mentioned. Just as he took shots at Reagan he takes shots at Capitalism and the Free Market. He want people to play fair in the free market, so only people like him who have political influence can get rich. What a loser.
Report Post »THEUNKNOWNPATRIOT
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 3:52pmHey Mr. Income Inequality, how about you evenly distrubute the profits from your shows with the roadie’s on your tour, or does that not count because it‘s your money we’re now talking about. Get off the stage you friggin’ dope!
Report Post »turkey13
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 4:10pmHe was on my no fly list and I burned his CD’s about 5 years ago. I wonder if he’s joining B. Striesand, Buffet, Gates, Obama’s, and R. Redford in giving most of their wealth to the poor. Shucks they can always make more,
Report Post »FormerLib
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 4:24pmWait…he really thinks “no one has been talking about income inequality for decades?” Has he been living under a rock? That’s about all liberals have been harping on for the past 25 years.
Report Post »lillymckim
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 4:25pmBruce talks about income inequality?
Someone want to ask him if it’s an EVEN split between him and his band members on what “he” makes on a CD and concerts compared to what the band members make?
I would love to know that number …
kinda’ equal like he pays a mere $4000 a year in taxes on his 200 plus acres in NJ while his neighbors pick up the tab .. FOR HIM? Equal? Ha!
THAT kinda’ income equality Bruce?
Bruce do you want to tell us what YOU pay your own band…
Bruce hypocrite is thy name.
Report Post »Demaslut
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 4:28pmbruce you suck.
Report Post »MYHEROISRON
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 4:48pmBruce, Bruce, you commie moose.
Report Post »ishka4me
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 5:02pmBruce pays only $100 property tax on his 20 million estate in New jersey be cause he allows some ex hippee to grow organic grass there. Bruce must be compaliaining of some other rich guy
Report Post »AOL_REFUGEE
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 6:14pmI had a great comment here that got censored for really lame reasons.
Sorry, Blaze. Not gonna repeat it. Your loss.
Report Post »absolutelynot
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 7:32pmBruce Boy should start giving free admission to his crappy concerts if he cares sooooo much
Report Post »arx
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 7:36pmDoes fortune and fame make one stupid? Apparently.
Report Post »Secret Squirrel
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 7:39pm.
Report Post »Bruce says we should be more like Sweden.
So, will he be moving there and start paying their 80% tax rate?
Gee, he wouldn’t be promoting a new album, would he?
Shut up and sing. Or not.
shirleyandpearl
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 9:16pmphony 1%-er just as like minded M. Moore! He’s not very convincing about his concern over the working poor, which he bases his lyrics on and has made $$$ on.
Report Post »NeoFan
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 9:25pmUnion Tool.
Report Post »urrybr
Posted on February 21, 2012 at 12:29pmAll of his music uses the same chord progressions. His lyrics are lame. He doesn’t sing . . . he screams. And when he’s playing guitar, it looks like he’s having a seizure. He makes strumming three chords look like it’s painful, and the look on his face tells me that his hemorroids are really acting up.
Report Post »Shut up Bruce and do what you do best, uh . . . uh . . . nothing!
the wireworker
Posted on February 21, 2012 at 4:18pmam i right or wrong here.
he says that big business has to much influence in washington, but isn’t it the other way around.
i would venture to say that government officials are more currupt in the ole buddy system w/ bribes, kickbacks and future employment for said officials and backdoor policies.
washington allows the corruption for personal benefit!
anyways bruces’ music is boring, i did however like his song human touch
Report Post »00gabooga
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 10:56amJust sing your stupid song Bruce. Let the people who actually work for a living worry about how America is run.
Report Post »TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 11:05am“Now look at them yo-yo‘s that’s the way you do it
Report Post »You play the guitar on the MTV
That ain‘t workin’ that’s the way you do it
Money for nothin’ and chicks for free
Now that ain‘t workin’ that’s the way you do it
Lemme tell ya them guys ain’t dumb
Maybe get a blister on your little finger
Maybe get a blister on your thumb…”
USPATRIOT101
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 12:32pmBruce sux period.
Report Post »NancyBee
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 1:19pmAnd he sings about being “Born in the USA”……………go jump in a lake…Bruce
Report Post »crackerone
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 2:32pmI’ll pay attention, when he starts flying coach!
Report Post »MEANS2RESIST
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 11:58pmI always thought he sounded like he just took a kick to the cojones….
Report Post »Itsjusttim
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 10:56amWell another case of a demon people let out of the pit because you made life too easy.
Report Post »Itsjusttim
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 10:58amTechnology is several hundred years beyond people’s understanding.
Report Post »Itsjusttim
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 10:59amI’m thinking God needs to take it away.
Report Post »Itsjusttim
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 11:06amIt‘s too bad that so many inventor’s in the 1700-1800‘s didn’t realize they were opening the gates of hell when they made life too easy.
Report Post »Itsjusttim
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 11:07amThankfully the gates of hell will be closed once again.
Report Post »BaltimoreJoe
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 10:55amBruce makes ten thousand times the dollars the lowliest worker makes at his concerts…the guys setting up, cleaning up, checking the sound system. He can practice equity income anytime he pleases. Maybe he should start a little closer to home.
Funny all the people ObamaCare will not apply to that have such strong opinions about how great it will be. I say UFirst…
Report Post »ravenhairedmaid
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 10:55amBruce owns at least three homes, thanks to capitalism. I haven’t seen headlines about him sponsoring any of the OWS at any of them, either.
Report Post »What IS it with so many musicians? Does musical talent suck all blood from the critical thinking ability?
Wakeup Maggie
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 11:16amHe looks and sounds like he’s been smelling the OWS bs for a little too long
Report Post »bobdee
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 10:52amSpringstein is a pud. He put a llama in his yard now he doesn’t pay NJ property tax. Way ta go comrade!
Report Post »mike_trivisonno
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 12:33pmEffin commies.
Hey Springsteen! You got a deuce commin’ out of your mouth!
Report Post »Nemo13
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 10:51amHe’s in France? Please stay in France. Don’t come back. Keep your album for the French.
Report Post »Tusker00
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 10:49amTypical musical bonehead. Being good at music and acting makes you an oracle worthy of solving all
Report Post »of the world’s problems. Sean Penn, Susan Sarandon, Kanye West, Harry Belafonte….the list goes on and on. Greece must be loaded with musicians and actors since they are doing so wonderfully!
TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 10:49amWhen I see Springsteen sing, to me he looks like he’s giving birth. As my wife pointed out to me many, many years ago… hemorrhoids are a common condition connected with all that straining!
In Sprinsteen’s case… it may just be because he’s talking out of his @ss most of the time.
Report Post »CATSUEY
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 11:00amRight on, bro!
Report Post »CatB
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 11:07am;-) lol
Report Post »flyoverbob
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 10:48amAnother peice of dribble from the privilaged class that believe they are actually relevant.If all people had the same oppurtinity you would be singing on the street corner with hat in hand.You certainly would not be in the elitist class that your are and claim to detest.
Report Post »Now show us the big man that you are and donate all your money to a charitable health care org.
Until you demonstrate your charity and humanity,I’m not buying
amerbur
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 10:46amFrequently truth and lies form a cocktail. The coctail can become a poison if we are unable to separate truth from lies and clarify the boundries. I think this is happening in the minds of many, as our educational systems have added a toxic ingredient. Just as Beck has warned. We need to step back, study history, look at reality, separate the truth from the poision and choose sides – do not take the drink if you do not know what is in the mix.
Report Post »jnobfan
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 10:51amShut the F up and sing
Report Post »GeorgieJo
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 10:55am“brought SANITY to the top level of the Government”
Bruce said THAT?
Drugs Rock and Roll brought you sir INSANITY.
Hang out with QuestLuvvy Bruce—You need to get your ebonics right
LMAO
TSK these RICH one percenters praising OWS
Stupid is as stupid does.
OMG 2012
Report Post »MS-GlenNBC
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 10:44amWhat? a Gingrich Hit Piece on the Blaze….
Thanks Glenn for telling the whole truth especially from a man like Bruce.
Now, Now I get it. Romney is not a progressive, Gingrich is. Go to Greece.
Report Post »Hrothgar
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 10:42amSo he’s a big political wet noodle, big deal. The man can still rock with the best of them.
Report Post »sawbuck
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 11:04am“The Boss” would have been just another washed up act..
Report Post »Like the rest of the Rocker’s of the 70’s ..
If he didn’t jump on the Obama “band-wagon”. .
He would be singing at county fairs…!
UBETHECHANGE
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 10:41amBruce is a marxist dope.
Report Post »honor007
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 10:41amoh, btw, Bruce……the NAVY SEALS killed OBL…..recognize. Man that ticks me off!
Report Post »lillymckim
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 8:35pmObama is gonna’ put Bin Laden on casters and roll him out during the Democratic Convention..
Report Post »The_Jerk
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 10:40amSpringsteen. Need I say more.
Report Post »AmericanStrega
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 10:39amI once enjoyed Mr. Springsteen’s music. Now I cannot even stomach seeing his face. He’s an anti-American piece of dog spit.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 10:56amI’m in the same boat. The good thing is that he hasn’t put anything out in the last 20 years I would want to listen to.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 10:39amAnother entertainer who goes to another country and opens his BIG mouth .. really ??? really???
Report Post »GeorgieJo
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 10:50amDIXIE CHICKS and LOOK where they are now….
OMG 2012
Report Post »midwesthippie
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 11:00amso…you are against freedom of speech?
Report Post »starman70
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 11:07amHE NEEDS TO STAY THERE!!!!!! If Brucie boy is so concerned about the “Have Nots” then he should SELL everything he owns and take the rest of his vast fortune and pay off the student loans, feed the hungry, provide housing for free and open his wallet for all to come and enjoy the fruits of his labors.
FAT CHANCE THAT WOULD EVER HAPPEN!!!! He like all those other mega stars, who have made millions off the backs of the hard working people who bought their records, watched their TV shows and paid for tickets to concerts and movies, has lost the very spark that made him who he is. Why, after a lifetime of busting his a** night after night giving concerts, away from home weeks at a time and doing all the things to increase his fame and fortune does he try to destroy the very society which made him? Is it the drugs and alcohol working on his brain? Has he lost touch with reality? Is he embarrased by his own success? You answer those questions, I can’t.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 11:09amNO — I am against going to another country and shooting off your big mouth .. you want to say something .. say IT HERE .. coward.
Yes .. I haven’t listened to D. C. in years .. and I was a fan.
Report Post »RLTW
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 11:20amMidwest
So you’re against the freedom of consequence?
Report Post »Dr. Joel Fleischman
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 10:39amBruce Springsteen, part of the 1%.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 10:49amYes .. you don’t see these people giving away all their wealth .. but they support the taking it from others.
Report Post »Darla_K
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 10:38amNeed to stick to doing music Bruce, a thinker you are not. I am very disappointed in your very liberal views.
Report Post »HADEN0UGH
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 10:38amIf I am going to listen to a musician talk about politics, it’s going to be Dave Mustaine!
Report Post »honor007
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 10:42am\\,,//(>.<)\\,,//
Report Post »Hell Yes!!!!
Gonzo
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 10:47amHow about Ted Nugent? :-)
Report Post »honor007
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 10:47am\\,,//(>.<)\\,,//
Report Post »Who would have thought the frontman of a group called "Megadeath" appreciates family values. Kudos to Dave for speaking his mind; I am so glad someone is standing up and not giving a crap about his peers and/or criticism.
Gonzo
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 10:38amHey Bruce, he didn’t kill Bin Laden, the U.S. military who you detest did. How about thanking them. You’re not “The Boss’ anymore, you‘re ’The Komrade”.
Report Post »gsplgtr
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 12:20pmGonzo…..moe like DER KOMMISAR!!!!! lol.
Report Post »LTinUT
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 10:37amAnother affirmation of Newt’s vile attack on capitalism.
Report Post »honor007
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 10:35amand soon we will all be slaves to our own Country if ole Bruce has it his and Obama’s socialistic ways. NOT!!! We are sitting down, ya freak with a guitar.
Report Post »Jenny Lind
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 10:32amIs he really this stupid? Where would he be without a society that allows all to shoot for the stars?
Report Post »SoupSandwich
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 11:00amOWS demands you provide the stars. By mandate, and go back to work to continue upkeep and maintenance, for the stars you already provided for them. Bruce is tooo busy “promoting” his version of things. Odd, that he would use commercialism/marketing, then vent on what it is he is using, that detracts from the OWS mind set…soo confusing. Seems if he were remotely true to OWS, he would be at every rally singing and giving away his wares for free. Surely he rode business class to Europe in protest and mic checked the galley hag at every chance as she filled his free range champagne glass.
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