I commented about this over on Facebook too.  The phrase is only a method of denying responsibility if I walk away.  If someone, even my boss, says that phrase to me, it's like the first half of the sentence.  I'm not moving until they say "but..." and finish the sentence.  If the comment is fully stated, "I'm sorry you feel that way, but that's your problem, I'm not going to do anything about it"; then it becomes my responsibility to do the very same thing.  "OK, I'm sorry you feel that way but I'm not going to let this end right here.  If you're not going to do anything about it, I certainly will."

There are less disrespectful ways to say this but I'm making a point.  It's a statement of fact.  You may leave the company, or simply wallow in misery until you screw up the guts to get another job.  The single best thing you can do for the relationship is to let it be known that without better explanation, you have no choice but to keep pursuing the issue.  In the interest of a great working relationship, if you're willing to be open and work to a resolution, then you should continue to push until you understand how either you're wrong, or it's unreasonable to expect resolution at this time.  If the other person is unwilling to help resolve the issue, then you must do it on your own.  You'll either leave or die a little every time the issue comes up again.

All of that is to say, don't let someone in a position of responsibility deny that very responsibility using this phrase.  Problems don't require denial, they require solutions.

Mike...