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 actually have been trying a new tactic; When I call early enough, I will get a staffer. Instead of reading from my 5 Calls script etc, if the politician has gone against something that’s important to me, I ask why they did it. Puts the staffer on the spot , which I don’t like to do , but on a good day I learn something new about the policy that would not necessarily be obvious in news reports. I’m hoping I can call the four Democrats that voted for the SAVE act and ask them what they were thinking and why.
Great idea, Camille. We’ve been unlucky in getting our Senators’ staffers who have responded with “I don’t know”/“not sure they’re aware of ________” several times.
I asked about the SAVE act the other day and was told “I don’t think they have a position on that” (seriously!?!?!) It’s maddening. I confess asking “can you please explain or clarify where their efforts ARE focused?” I wish you well with your calls - I may not make calls for a few days as I’ve found my volume increasing and tone sharpening (making me the person everyone wants to interact with, right?)
Did you get the email from him recently crowing about the awards he'd received for the being the "bestest boy" for bipartisan blah blah blah? We've called, emailed, written to his offices for weeks with ZERO response from him/his staff - then got that garbage response. Useless.
I have to ask: what was your first response to that email?
Ours was “what the $&#*$ is this?”
Why would he send that? Unless, of course, he truly is as out of touch as many of us have suspected and has checked out already. If it’s too much trouble, he should just go NOW - and let Whitmer fill that seat with someone who would work for all of us.
We asked our daughter and son-in-law about it (they vote, they’re aware, etc) and part of their response was “wulp, this is one example of why our friends/peer group (30’s, educated) doesn’t feel like voting matters”.
So: great job, Gary et al.
And we’d tell him that but we already know he doesn’t care.
Hahaha. I love this “Thank you for your interest, now piss off.” Not funny, but so true. The ONLY response I have received from my representative…when I get a response.
We've gotten responses from our rep and her staff (Debbie Dingell) but we've found her to be very responsive. Our MI Senators are MIA in general - we've gotten some communications telling us how wonderful they are (um, we're not seeing this) when what we'd really like is for them to answer the damn question(s) asked. Seriously, ANY question. Pick one of the several and address that.
I lived in VT for 3 years and contacted Bernie Sanders’ office about various issues on multiple occasions. He was the ONLY Senator in my entire life who sent back thoughtful on-topic replies with actual points about WHAT HE WAS DOING ABOUT IT (and unlike most of his colleagues he DOES do something about it). Phone calls were answered by bright young staffers who listened and cared. I’m in my mid fifties and no other politician who has represented me has ever even come close.
Throughout the world, democracies are dominated by a two party system that actively work to lock out other candidates. Over time the rot has settled in both parties, in large part due to the fact that elections require millions of dollars to run so are funded mainly by wealthy political donors and corporations who expect something in return. State Capture. The privatisation of human services, controls on wages but never profits, little to no taxes paid by the wealthy, shareholders expecting increasing profits every year, are evidence of unbridled Capitalism that voraciously exploits people and the planet. American politics was so sick it vomited up Trump. Dems operating like business as usual and talking about a return to the status quo after the next election is no longer an option. If you aren’t part of the solution, you’re part of the problem. Amongst other things, the whole electoral system in those democracies experiencing a shift to Authoritarian candidates, need change including fair electoral boundaries that don’t allow for gerrymandering, no funding from outside sources apart from the provision of equal allocations of Govt funding for each candidate, and penalties for media sources and candidates who peddle disinformation. It’s time for a change.
Same in Iowa. I've written repeatedly and the answers I've received were seriously terrible. One response didn't even have the same font, had typos [I'm gracious since I am literally the queen of typos], and addressed my deep concerns in a couple of paragraphs largely saying nothing. NOTHING!
I wrote Ernst about Hegseth and his extreme lack of qualifications. The first justification for approving his confirmation was he would reduce government waste. Literally - that was the first "I support this appointee because he will reduce government waste" response out of a whopping two to justify her support. I couldn't believe it. I'm like, I don't have a stupid sign on me do I? Her second response was he would address concerns of military personnel. I'm like, what are his qualifications? I wrote back exceptionally angry that the letter did not provide substantial reasoning for her intention to vote for this appointee and her response indicated I had stupid on my forehead. I am a constituent - how about some respect! No response. No clarification. No recognition that they couldn't respond with actual qualifications.
There is literally no attempt to educate, clarify, connect, or expound on issues or their rationales for them. They are all rally sound bites. I thought - these are Republicans? They clearly don't give a flying octopus with a tail and a horn about their constituents and they don't think we are very bright. I almost felt if I was at a goddamn rally. I've worked in DC as a legislative aide researching topics in my deep past. I did constituent work at the state level when I was an intern. It was serious shit. Calgon take me away.
My wife had an interesting thing, we got a reply from her republican rep in congress, a friend from another district got a reply as well. The two replies were almost word for word; apparently it is more than an office template
We've long suspected they get approved talking points, scripts, etc. Friends in other areas of the country have had the same experience in the past decade (roughly) from Republican reps.
I think those gop carbon-copy letters are nation-wide.
The ones from my carpetbagging rep (MI-01) often include a dig like the threat of “Medicaid cuts is misinformation by democrats because they want to win election”
Klobuchar is skilled at maneuvering within the party, ruthlessly, and that's about all if you ask me. She's a poor representative in a state full of engaged public servants.
I can't go deep into it... don't want to reveal my secret identity... but yes, she is a skilled operator.
In general, Minnesotan public servants do have a commitment to constitutent relations. Back in the day when I worked for Frenzel and then Ramstad... yeah, I wrote a lot of letters... that then would be signed by either the pen or by the Congressman personally. But they weren't "thank you for your interest... " letters... they were substantive and they required time and effort...
When I was in DoD... I must have written at least 200 letters to Congressmen who were asking questions on behalf of constituents. Those letters, each, took about 20 hours of my time... to write... coordinate in the building... then get up for signature and signed... some that I wrote (well many actually) went straight to Rumsfeld or Gates or Gordon England back in the day... so those letters took maybe 40 hours because I had to brief in addition to the response why the response was correct....
So seriously... if you're gonna send me an email... at least have it fucking match the question I asked. I don't think I'm being all that demanding given my prior experiences... lol.
Years ago I wrote my senators on a topic and one never responded and the other sent a letter responding on a different topic. I’ve never tried again. If their staff can’t be bothered to appropriately respond, then hire new staff.
Or decide if one really wants to be in office representing others? If staff are failing, they should be replaced. If staff are following the directives of their employer, that's different. My take is that we have more of the latter going one.
Years ago, we contacted our Senators (we were living in CO) and both of them (1 R, 1 D) were incredibly helpful, responsive - it was impressive and we let others know and thanked them for their time and attention. Our more recently replaced Senator here only contacted us for fundraising and then lectured us that we hadn't donated one year. We pointed out that we had more than one email address - but this is how you approach constituents and conduct public relations and communications? Done.
Unfortunately, her replacement isn't an upgrade so far in any respect.
Granted, a weak response from a staff that is probably quite overwhelmed (and frankly I'm glad they are, means the people are hammering them). But that said, I think the days of staff thoughtfully crafting personal responses is long over. If not a form letter it will be AI soon enough , if it isn't already. Of all the things to point out as an indication that they perhaps haven't got their shit together, this ain't it.
They don’t see us as who they represent and answer to. The money guys have that position. Also, Cruz and Cornyn are my senators. I’ve never gotten anything but straight to voicemail from Cruz and Cornyn the same.
Form letters are standard issue by the people (pages) that work within the confines of state offices. Every phone call, email, petition or letter I’ve written any state or federal government official brings another half baked form letter. Tough part for me is that I’ve known Amy since her little pig tails and horn rimmed glasses came over to play at my cousins. Her father Jim wrote for the Star Tribune fish wrap, I delivered every day… a guy I spoke with often, cocktail and lit cigarette cradled in his hand.
I’ve had opportunity to speak with many of our duly elected, most of them are re decent, altruistic people, you’ve likely experienced a few good ones, coupled with some execrable chodes like Trump and his coterie. Having a government that allows insider trading is problematic, Citizens United has made government unbearable. Time for a well organized revolution against a criminally corrupt syndicate appears imminent, Sla’inte!!
I received a similar one from Tim Kaine. I called his office daily about two things. Veterans getting fired in disproportionate numbers and protecting our data from Elon. I followed the calls up with a letter. He sent me a response thanking me for my interest in school choice. A subject I never mentioned.
I quit calling after that. He, like most others, are captured by their corporate masters. We are mostly alone. It falls on us to fix this disaster.
In spite of the pitiful response of the corporate democrats, I am confident (most days) that we will defeat this administration. My confidence comes from Trump’s incompetence and the stupidity of his lickspittle cabinet. This week’s tariff nonsense is one of many examples. It will take sustained resistance and boycotts to finish the job.
Jared Huffman was my representative when I lived in northern California, and I always got a good response from him about the subject I wrote him about.
He is the first representative I've ever had that actually wrote me back with answers and some solutions to the issue I was concerned about.
Due to a stroke, I had to move back near family in Texas, and know full well that it is useless to write the representative here.
I am saddened to hear this about Representative Klobuchar, as I thought she would be a good representative.
I worked for two members of Congress. I also worked in the Bush Admin. I can't tell you how many letters I had to write to either members of Congress or to constituents addressing their concerns and pointing them towards solutions.
There were donors and influencers within the party who asked for help.
All that's being asked is to be seen and heard. LOL!
Thank you for your interest in government. Now piss off. :P
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 actually have been trying a new tactic; When I call early enough, I will get a staffer. Instead of reading from my 5 Calls script etc, if the politician has gone against something that’s important to me, I ask why they did it. Puts the staffer on the spot , which I don’t like to do , but on a good day I learn something new about the policy that would not necessarily be obvious in news reports. I’m hoping I can call the four Democrats that voted for the SAVE act and ask them what they were thinking and why.
Great idea, Camille. We’ve been unlucky in getting our Senators’ staffers who have responded with “I don’t know”/“not sure they’re aware of ________” several times.
I asked about the SAVE act the other day and was told “I don’t think they have a position on that” (seriously!?!?!) It’s maddening. I confess asking “can you please explain or clarify where their efforts ARE focused?” I wish you well with your calls - I may not make calls for a few days as I’ve found my volume increasing and tone sharpening (making me the person everyone wants to interact with, right?)
I go back-and-forth on calling. Some weeks I just can’t do it for the reasons you described so well.
When I drove home tonight from work, I learned that was save act had passed and I screamed, right there in the car.
Oh, i'm quite sure they've heard it all. At this point.The Russian Republikan party, it's causing chaos and yeah.
Suffering is the point
I got a "response" from Gary Peters that was the same. Emailed me about something completely unrelated to what I had emailed him about.
Did you get the email from him recently crowing about the awards he'd received for the being the "bestest boy" for bipartisan blah blah blah? We've called, emailed, written to his offices for weeks with ZERO response from him/his staff - then got that garbage response. Useless.
Sure did. He's useless and has been for a while.
Yep, got that too. 🙄
I have to ask: what was your first response to that email?
Ours was “what the $&#*$ is this?”
Why would he send that? Unless, of course, he truly is as out of touch as many of us have suspected and has checked out already. If it’s too much trouble, he should just go NOW - and let Whitmer fill that seat with someone who would work for all of us.
Same response here. It struck me as so out of touch and tone deaf that I just deleted it after reading the first couple of sentences.
We asked our daughter and son-in-law about it (they vote, they’re aware, etc) and part of their response was “wulp, this is one example of why our friends/peer group (30’s, educated) doesn’t feel like voting matters”.
So: great job, Gary et al.
And we’d tell him that but we already know he doesn’t care.
And there we have it, friends. We are SOL.
Me too, Karen! I think Peters has already checked out in anticipation of his retirement.
More than likely. I feel like he's always been this way, but my past impressions may just be overshadowed by his current behavior.
Hahaha. I love this “Thank you for your interest, now piss off.” Not funny, but so true. The ONLY response I have received from my representative…when I get a response.
We've gotten responses from our rep and her staff (Debbie Dingell) but we've found her to be very responsive. Our MI Senators are MIA in general - we've gotten some communications telling us how wonderful they are (um, we're not seeing this) when what we'd really like is for them to answer the damn question(s) asked. Seriously, ANY question. Pick one of the several and address that.
I lived in VT for 3 years and contacted Bernie Sanders’ office about various issues on multiple occasions. He was the ONLY Senator in my entire life who sent back thoughtful on-topic replies with actual points about WHAT HE WAS DOING ABOUT IT (and unlike most of his colleagues he DOES do something about it). Phone calls were answered by bright young staffers who listened and cared. I’m in my mid fifties and no other politician who has represented me has ever even come close.
Why does that not surprise me? Wish I still lived in Vermont.
Huzzah Bernie and staff! 🙌🏼
Hopefully having you blast this on Substack will get back to her and maybe make her think about doing her job. No excuse for this.
Just following the Chuck Schumer, "responsible opposition" playbook...oh, forgot — "bipartisanship"...hoo-fecking-ray!
🤦
Throughout the world, democracies are dominated by a two party system that actively work to lock out other candidates. Over time the rot has settled in both parties, in large part due to the fact that elections require millions of dollars to run so are funded mainly by wealthy political donors and corporations who expect something in return. State Capture. The privatisation of human services, controls on wages but never profits, little to no taxes paid by the wealthy, shareholders expecting increasing profits every year, are evidence of unbridled Capitalism that voraciously exploits people and the planet. American politics was so sick it vomited up Trump. Dems operating like business as usual and talking about a return to the status quo after the next election is no longer an option. If you aren’t part of the solution, you’re part of the problem. Amongst other things, the whole electoral system in those democracies experiencing a shift to Authoritarian candidates, need change including fair electoral boundaries that don’t allow for gerrymandering, no funding from outside sources apart from the provision of equal allocations of Govt funding for each candidate, and penalties for media sources and candidates who peddle disinformation. It’s time for a change.
Same in Iowa. I've written repeatedly and the answers I've received were seriously terrible. One response didn't even have the same font, had typos [I'm gracious since I am literally the queen of typos], and addressed my deep concerns in a couple of paragraphs largely saying nothing. NOTHING!
I wrote Ernst about Hegseth and his extreme lack of qualifications. The first justification for approving his confirmation was he would reduce government waste. Literally - that was the first "I support this appointee because he will reduce government waste" response out of a whopping two to justify her support. I couldn't believe it. I'm like, I don't have a stupid sign on me do I? Her second response was he would address concerns of military personnel. I'm like, what are his qualifications? I wrote back exceptionally angry that the letter did not provide substantial reasoning for her intention to vote for this appointee and her response indicated I had stupid on my forehead. I am a constituent - how about some respect! No response. No clarification. No recognition that they couldn't respond with actual qualifications.
There is literally no attempt to educate, clarify, connect, or expound on issues or their rationales for them. They are all rally sound bites. I thought - these are Republicans? They clearly don't give a flying octopus with a tail and a horn about their constituents and they don't think we are very bright. I almost felt if I was at a goddamn rally. I've worked in DC as a legislative aide researching topics in my deep past. I did constituent work at the state level when I was an intern. It was serious shit. Calgon take me away.
“don't give a flying octopus with a tail and a horn” is so seriously brilliant that I must steal it!!!!! ❤️🔥🥳👏🏼🙌🏼
May it bless you! HA!
My wife had an interesting thing, we got a reply from her republican rep in congress, a friend from another district got a reply as well. The two replies were almost word for word; apparently it is more than an office template
We've long suspected they get approved talking points, scripts, etc. Friends in other areas of the country have had the same experience in the past decade (roughly) from Republican reps.
Yes, much more than an office template.
I think those gop carbon-copy letters are nation-wide.
The ones from my carpetbagging rep (MI-01) often include a dig like the threat of “Medicaid cuts is misinformation by democrats because they want to win election”
The talking points are just insane, across the board. There was a report today or yesterday from a musician on her communications w Richard Grenell (one link copied here). It's all bizarre. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/richard-grenell-engages-in-bizarre-email-exchange-with-musician/ar-AA1CKuji
Klobuchar is skilled at maneuvering within the party, ruthlessly, and that's about all if you ask me. She's a poor representative in a state full of engaged public servants.
I can't go deep into it... don't want to reveal my secret identity... but yes, she is a skilled operator.
In general, Minnesotan public servants do have a commitment to constitutent relations. Back in the day when I worked for Frenzel and then Ramstad... yeah, I wrote a lot of letters... that then would be signed by either the pen or by the Congressman personally. But they weren't "thank you for your interest... " letters... they were substantive and they required time and effort...
When I was in DoD... I must have written at least 200 letters to Congressmen who were asking questions on behalf of constituents. Those letters, each, took about 20 hours of my time... to write... coordinate in the building... then get up for signature and signed... some that I wrote (well many actually) went straight to Rumsfeld or Gates or Gordon England back in the day... so those letters took maybe 40 hours because I had to brief in addition to the response why the response was correct....
So seriously... if you're gonna send me an email... at least have it fucking match the question I asked. I don't think I'm being all that demanding given my prior experiences... lol.
Years ago I wrote my senators on a topic and one never responded and the other sent a letter responding on a different topic. I’ve never tried again. If their staff can’t be bothered to appropriately respond, then hire new staff.
Or decide if one really wants to be in office representing others? If staff are failing, they should be replaced. If staff are following the directives of their employer, that's different. My take is that we have more of the latter going one.
Years ago, we contacted our Senators (we were living in CO) and both of them (1 R, 1 D) were incredibly helpful, responsive - it was impressive and we let others know and thanked them for their time and attention. Our more recently replaced Senator here only contacted us for fundraising and then lectured us that we hadn't donated one year. We pointed out that we had more than one email address - but this is how you approach constituents and conduct public relations and communications? Done.
Unfortunately, her replacement isn't an upgrade so far in any respect.
Granted, a weak response from a staff that is probably quite overwhelmed (and frankly I'm glad they are, means the people are hammering them). But that said, I think the days of staff thoughtfully crafting personal responses is long over. If not a form letter it will be AI soon enough , if it isn't already. Of all the things to point out as an indication that they perhaps haven't got their shit together, this ain't it.
They don’t see us as who they represent and answer to. The money guys have that position. Also, Cruz and Cornyn are my senators. I’ve never gotten anything but straight to voicemail from Cruz and Cornyn the same.
Form letters are standard issue by the people (pages) that work within the confines of state offices. Every phone call, email, petition or letter I’ve written any state or federal government official brings another half baked form letter. Tough part for me is that I’ve known Amy since her little pig tails and horn rimmed glasses came over to play at my cousins. Her father Jim wrote for the Star Tribune fish wrap, I delivered every day… a guy I spoke with often, cocktail and lit cigarette cradled in his hand.
I’ve had opportunity to speak with many of our duly elected, most of them are re decent, altruistic people, you’ve likely experienced a few good ones, coupled with some execrable chodes like Trump and his coterie. Having a government that allows insider trading is problematic, Citizens United has made government unbearable. Time for a well organized revolution against a criminally corrupt syndicate appears imminent, Sla’inte!!
I received a similar one from Tim Kaine. I called his office daily about two things. Veterans getting fired in disproportionate numbers and protecting our data from Elon. I followed the calls up with a letter. He sent me a response thanking me for my interest in school choice. A subject I never mentioned.
I quit calling after that. He, like most others, are captured by their corporate masters. We are mostly alone. It falls on us to fix this disaster.
In spite of the pitiful response of the corporate democrats, I am confident (most days) that we will defeat this administration. My confidence comes from Trump’s incompetence and the stupidity of his lickspittle cabinet. This week’s tariff nonsense is one of many examples. It will take sustained resistance and boycotts to finish the job.
Jared Huffman was my representative when I lived in northern California, and I always got a good response from him about the subject I wrote him about.
He is the first representative I've ever had that actually wrote me back with answers and some solutions to the issue I was concerned about.
Due to a stroke, I had to move back near family in Texas, and know full well that it is useless to write the representative here.
I am saddened to hear this about Representative Klobuchar, as I thought she would be a good representative.
I worked for two members of Congress. I also worked in the Bush Admin. I can't tell you how many letters I had to write to either members of Congress or to constituents addressing their concerns and pointing them towards solutions.
There were donors and influencers within the party who asked for help.
All that's being asked is to be seen and heard. LOL!
Thank you for your interest in government. Now piss off. :P