Say, don't you remember, they called me al—  it was al all the time.  why don't you remember, i'm your pal—  buddy, can you spare a dime?   the excerpt emphasizes the idea that the problems of the great depressionaffected all americans in one way or another. drove a wedge between people who once were friendly. brought out the very worst behavior in many americans. caused many americans to experience financial ruin.