Monday night I got three phone calls at my house. All three were from politicians asking me to vote for them. These aren't the first such calls I've received and I'm sure more will come between now and Election Day.
Most of these calls have a recorded message that's automatically dialed. My wife and I usually just hang up.
A few years ago, laws were enacted to prevent telemarketers from disturbing people at home. Remember the Do Not Call Registry?
Unfortunately, politicians who passed those laws didn't include themselves among the offenders. It's a law for everyone else, just not for them. I don't think that's right.
Across the Internet, there are organizations trying to get the Do Not Call Registry Law changed to include politicians.
Good luck with that.
We can all expect even more such calls as the presidential campaign ramps up. Our only recourse, don't answer the phone or better yet, don't vote for those who disturb you at home.
I'm James Smith.
Viewer response:
Thank you Mr. Smith for your editorial concerning the political campaign automated phone calls. I agree that the only thing we can do is simply hang up. However, I am now receiving these calls on my business line. Since these calls always come in the evening or on the weekend, by the next morning my work voicemail is full of political campaign speeches. I have contacted several campaigns after I receive a message at work and thankfully most have removed the number from their calling list. But there are some that still leave those long messages and haven't responded to my requests to stop.
Thank you again for your editorial.
Vanessa (via email)
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