It Ain't Us, Babe Written December 10, 2011   We the people, by an overwhelming margin of more than two-thirds according to a Bloomberg-Washington Post poll, believe that the richest among us should pay a greater share of what is required to keep our nation great. Republicans, not wanting to offend the wealthy contributors who will finance their re-election, refuse to even consider the possibility of higher taxes on the wealthy or regulations on their corporations. Columnist Reg Henry wrote that this sort of thing “illustrates whom the conservative party is really working for.  And it ain’t me, babe — and it’s probably not you either.” I suspect some liberals are not listening to the people, either.  And the deadlocked Congress is unable to move, having passed its fewest number of bills in a non-election year in at least two decades. Update:  An Associated Press article on January 10, 2024, described the Republicans in the House as "a majority that prefers conducting oversight and investigations, rather than bipartisan legislating to resolve the country's challenges." All that led me to this.  Bob Dylan's original lyrics are on the right.   Go ’way from my Congress Leave at your own chosen speed I’m not the one you serve, babe I’m not the one you need You say you’re workin’ for the fool Whose facts are weak, convictions strong, Who’ll elect you an’ support you Whether you are right or wrong    Someone to blindly open every door But it ain’t me, babe No, no, no, it ain’t me babe It ain’t me you’re workin’ for, babe. IT AIN'T ME, BABE (1964) Go ’way from my window Leave at your own chosen speed I’m not the one you want, babe I’m not the one you need You say you’re lookin’ for someone Who’s never weak but always strong To protect you an’ defend you Whether you are right or wrong    Someone to open each and every door But it ain’t me, babe No, no, no, it ain’t me babe It ain’t me you’re lookin’ for, babe.   Go lightly from the House, babe I don’t want you hangin’ ’round And leave the Senate, too, babe You have only let me down Closed hearts keep you from listenin’ To the other side of the aisle One side won’t tax and one won’t cut You all spew hate and bile    Supported by your loyal core But it ain’t me, babe No, no, no, it ain’t me babe It ain’t me you’re workin’ for, babe.   Go lightly from the ledge, babe Go lightly on the ground I’m not the one you want, babe I will only let you down You say you’re lookin’ for someone Who will promise never to part Someone to close his eyes for you Someone to close his heart    Someone who will die for you an’ more But it ain’t me, babe No, no, no, it ain’t me babe It ain’t me you’re lookin’ for, babe.   Go melt back in the night Everything inside is made of stone There’s nothing in there moving An’ anyway I’m not alone You say you’re looking for someone Who’ll help pay for your campaign Whose favored law you’ll vote for If he’s aboard your gravy train    A buyer for your vote, an’ nothing more But it ain’t me, babe No, no, no, it ain’t me, babe It ain’t me you’re workin’ for, babe.     Go melt back in the night Everything inside is made of stone There’s nothing in here moving An’ anyway I’m not alone You say you’re looking for someone Who’ll pick you up each time you fall To gather flowers constantly An’ to come each time you call    A lover for your life an’ nothing more But it ain’t me, babe No, no, no, it ain’t me, babe It ain’t me you’re lookin’ for, babe.