I just called the Lori Swanson's office- the main number on their website. 

I said "I'd like to talk to somebody to see if our Attorney General is considering any action to protect Minnesota against the federal mandates in this health care legislation"

The answer was simply "That is not possible."

I'm silent.  "What is your job title?"

Answer: "Citizen Assistant's Analyst for the Consumer Protection Division"

I tell the young lady, "Okay, I need to speak to your boss."

 I'm put in hold.  She comes back to tell me she's transferring me to Charles Ferguson.

"Chuck Ferguson"

I say "Hi, my name is Sheila Kihne and I'd like to know if the Attorney General is aware of any legislation or would support any legislation to protect Minnesota should this bill pass this weekend."

Chuck says, "You need to call your state legislator."

I say "Okay.  Will the attorney general, join other Attorney Generals all over the country who are suing the federal government in order protect Minnesotans against these mandates."

Chuck "The bill hasn't passed, so there's nothing to talk about."

I ask, "what I'm wondering is if there's any plan in your office, somebody to talk...?"

Chuck, getting flat out angry, "Do you know what the attorney general does? Are you aware of the attorney generals job?  Do you know that their job is to ensure that everything abides by the Constitution, do you know..."

Me, "I'm aware that you're a public employee, so can we tone it down a bit?  I give a little laugh"

He mocks me "Ha! Ha! Ha!" then gets really angry, "I don't need this! Are you aware of what the attorney general does, or do you just watch television?  You have a good day."

Click.

I'll take that as a "No"

What a way to act.  What a way to treat people.  I've been calling Congress all week and I want to acknowledge that 75% of the staffers are polite.  25% are rude and dismissive.  These people probably make 1/4 of what Mr. Ferguson makes.  It's really disgusting.

(I also want to acknowledge that I've been working with staff at the Minnesota Department of Education, they have been nothing but courteous.)

Why should the Chuck Ferguson's of the world care though?  They're not like the rest of us who would be fired or disciplined if we talked to a customer that way....Corporate culture, like government culture, is dictated from above.  The leadership sets the tone.  But the bottom line with government is they work for us.  Period. 

Time to clean house at the AG's office.  Do we have a candidate yet?