[ElSapo]

[ QUOTE ]
Also, don't be a jerk. It really pisses the staffers off when you threaten.

[/ QUOTE ]

You shouldn't be a jerk - not in talking to anyone. I can get behind that. But the part about not pissing off staffers made me laugh.

Many congressional staffers (not all, but a lot) think they run the town and the government, when in reality they open the mail. Pissing them off is about the last thing I'd worry about. And the implication that if you -do- irritate one, your comment or complaint will carry less weight, is disturbing.

Of course, the fact that staffers -can- lose your comment if you irritate them is one of the reasons they seem to think they have some sort of real power or influence. But in the end, they're just opening the mail.

("Staffer," in this case, being one of those people with zero influence in the office and who's primary function is to try and stay awake during hearings, make copies and, yes, open the mail. They do get nice shiney badges and get to tell tales of being locked down in the Capitol, but still, who cares...

...However, if you are someone with responsibility, authority and policy-expertise, I have a lot of respect for the job you do.)