Thank you for your interest... now piss off
Really? This is the face of constituent relations?
So Monday, I got this email from Senator Amy Klobuchar. I just read it today (yes, I’m behind on emails). Here’s what she wrote:
Email from Senator Amy Klobuchar – April 7, 2025
Dear [my actual name],
Thank you for reaching out about the administration’s tariffs on goods. I strongly share your concerns about the negative impacts these tariffs have had on Minnesota businesses, farmers, and families and I appreciate hearing from you on this important issue.
There’s no doubt that our adversaries like China have used trade to manipulate markets in ways that hurt American workers, which is why I have supported the strategic use of targeted tariffs like those used by the previous Trump, Biden and Obama administrations to counter China’s steel dumping. But across-the-board tariffs — especially those placed on our neighbors and partners — will only raise prices, hurt businesses and put jobs on the line. Instead, we should be working with our allies to ensure a level playing field while protecting American jobs and industries.
The average American family is on track to see a $4,000 increase in the cost of living as a result of the administration’s tariffs. That is why I have called on the administration to reconsider its across-the-board tariff approach and work with our allies to strengthen agreements like the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), rather than imposing measures that disrupt trade and hurt American families.
Exports and imports are important to the success of Minnesota’s consumers, farmers, businesses, and workers. Our state’s economy depends on strong trade relationships, particularly with Canada and Mexico—our largest trading partners. In 2023 alone, Minnesota’s total trade with Canada exceeded $21 billion, with key exports including energy products, transportation equipment, and agricultural goods. That is why I led a bipartisan effort with Senators Kaine and Warner to end these taxes on Canadian goods. Last week, our bipartisan bill passed the Senate with broad support from labor and business groups.
In addition, along with my colleagues Senators Cantwell and Grassley, I introduced bipartisan legislation to reassert Congress’s constitutional role in trade policy by ensuring new tariffs are subject to additional review and approval by Congress. Blanket tariffs can raise costs for consumers, increase input prices for farmers, and disrupt supply chains for manufacturers. Already, we have seen how trade wars in the past have hurt Minnesota’s agricultural sector, leading to uncertainty and financial hardship. For example, more than 80% of the potash fertilizer used in the U.S. is imported from Canada, and these tariffs will drive up costs for farmers already operating on thin margins. Additionally, the new tariffs could increase energy, manufacturing, and construction costs, further straining businesses and workers.
Please know that I will continue working to see that Minnesota’s economy remains strong and that our farmers, manufacturers, and small businesses are not unfairly burdened by harmful trade policies. Again, thank you for taking the time to contact me. I continue to be humbled to serve as your Senator, and one of the most important parts of my job is listening to the people of Minnesota. I hope you will reach out again about matters of concern to you.
Sincerely,
Amy Klobuchar
United States Senator
Seems like a decent email, right? CONSTITUENT RELATIONS, baby! You wrote in… and here’s your thoughtful, reasoned reply. Bask in the glory of being represented by a Democrat in a blue state—no lack of town halls for you.
There’s just one problem:
I didn’t write to her about tariffs.
What I wrote about—two months ago—was the destruction of the federal government by Elon Musk. Specifically, I raised concerns about:
Musk’s backdoor access to Treasury systems via the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE),
The reassignment and dismantling of USAID,
The broader implications of allowing unelected billionaires to execute political purges under the guise of “reform.”
And back in February, Klobuchar did reply:
Email from Senator Amy Klobuchar – February 10, 2025
Dear [name redacted],
Thank you for contacting me about the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and Elon Musk. I appreciate hearing your thoughts on this critical situation.
I am deeply concerned that an unelected billionaire is causing so much chaos and being given so much power, including gaining access to critical and sensitive payment systems at the Department of Treasury. Elon Musk and his associates should not have access to systems that track citizens’ social security payments, tax returns, and veteran benefits.
I am working with my colleagues in the Senate to fight these actions—including supporting court efforts to challenge his actions. As you know, as a result a federal judge recently intervened to restrict Musk’s access to the sensitive data in the Treasury payment system, and another judge paused the Trump administration’s plan to put USAID staff on leave.
I want you to know that I am committed to moving forward and protecting the rights of all Minnesotans. We need to keep doing good for the American people and I will stand my ground on your behalf. I will continue to fight against President Trump’s policies that risk hurting Minnesota families and will speak out against his violations of the law.
Again, thank you for taking the time to contact me. I continue to be humbled to be your Senator, and one of the most important parts of my job is listening to the people of Minnesota. I am here in our nation’s capital to do the public’s business. I hope you will contact me again about matters of concern to you.
Sincerely,
Amy Klobuchar
United States Senator
So… what happened here?
Well, it looks like Senator Klobuchar’s office just sent me a generic follow-up letter—either on autopilot or due to some CRM glitch—about a completely unrelated topic.
Which leads me to the real point:
This is why I don’t believe Democrats are going to get their shit together.
People ask me whether Amy Klobuchar should step aside and let someone else lead. My answer?
Yes. Absolutely.
Because let’s review:
The situation I raised—DOGE, Treasury, USAID—is still happening.
There’s been no public action. No hearings. No subpoenas. No press briefings.
Klobuchar's reply offered no plan, just generic concern and a vague “we’re fighting” reassurance.
Now, months later, I get a second email that reads like someone hit “reply all” with an off-topic policy memo.
“We’re monitoring the situation” is not a strategy. “We oppose blanket tariffs” is not an answer to authoritarian collapse. And “I’m humbled to serve” feels hollow when the institutions are hollowed out in real time.
I’m not some rando.
I’m a donor.
To candidates.
To the national party.
To House and Senate campaign committees.
I’m also a former policy advisor. When I worked for Bush, we wrote real replies. Staffers drafted them, and senior staff reviewed them. We tailored the message to the constituent, especially if they clearly knew the policy landscape.
This?
This is chicken shit dressed up as chicken salad.
If you can’t answer the letter, don’t send one. Or better yet, have someone read what I wrote, and write back like it mattered.
Because if you can’t do that, maybe you shouldn’t be doing this job.
Paid for by the Committee of I Don’t Give a Fuck and the Start Doing Your Job Caucus.
This is very common template format response that I typically get from my elected representatives in Congress. 🤷🏻♂️ They all seem to be using the same template. 🙄
And remember, the response comes from THEIR STAFF. I doubt they see anything but the stats; that said, they tally the responses by topic and this , I gather, helps them to understand from a very “moist finger in the breeze” kind of approach what the voting public are thinking at any given time. Such is the nature of CONSTITUENT RELATIONS in the 21st century…. 😏🤯🤪
I got a "response" from Gary Peters that was the same. Emailed me about something completely unrelated to what I had emailed him about.