Green Day’s new single is called “Boulevard of Broken Dreams.” They’re not the first ones to use this phrase. It also appears in songs by Nat King Cole, Brian Setzer, Joe De Luca, and several others.

It always amazes me that this is a phenomenon in our country.  But why would so many people move to such an area in the first place?  Personally I blame the realtors for not making it part of their standard disclosures. They should be legally required to discuss it: “This house is in a lovely neighborhood, very close to schools and parks.  But I’m obligated by law to tell you that it’s near a fault line, and also it’s on a boulevard of broken dreams.”

I’m surprised that neighborhoods don’t band together and fight the situation when it occurs, they way they do rising crime or houses falling into disrepair.  They should post flyers about the issue: “NEIGHBORHOOD IS TURNING INTO BOULEVARD OF BROKEN DREAMS.  PLEASE ATTEND MEETING AT THE PARKERS HOUSE TO DISCUSS ACTION. POTLUCK: BRING CASSEROLE OR DESSERT.”