Editorial

Robo-calls

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Every political candidate faces tough decisions on how he or she should try to reach voters.

One way that is grabbing the voters' attention -- sometimes in a bad way -- is the so-called robo-calls, or political automated telemarketing.

The robo-calls, along with calls from not-for-profit organizations, are exempted from state and national no-call lists.

More than two million people have signed up for Missouri's no-call list, and many of them are receiving several unwanted calls a week from politicians.

Legislation was introduced in 2007 and 2008 to remove the political exemption from the state's no-call list.

Unsolicited telephone calls can be invasive.

If a person wants to eliminate unwanted and unsolicited phone calls from strangers, he or she has the right to expect that privacy.

The state should reconsider the exemption next year.

Comments

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"Legislation was introduced in 2007 and 2008 to remove the political exemption from the state's no-call list."

If this legislation was introduced, why wasn't it passed? Ask your local politician.

-- Posted by RocketSurgeon on Wed, Jul 30, 2008, at 7:29 AM
Turn about is fair play. Give us your number so we can call you and see how you like it when we interrupt you dinner or family time.

-- Posted by KingsKid on Wed, Jul 30, 2008, at 7:48 AM
The campaigns that purchase these calls need to be told they don't work, because the managers "think" the strategy does (and they do not often consider new ideas). Call the campaigns that call you and tell them to stop. Contact information can be found for each candidate on the Missouri Ethics Commission website.

-- Posted by stevefly on Wed, Jul 30, 2008, at 10:48 AM
Robo calls probably won't be regulated by politicians. It is a little like the fox watching the hen house.

Some politicians, however, have realized that robo calls are doing more harm than good to their races and candidacy.

Mike Carter, candidate for Lt. Gov in MO, is the only politician in MO that has joined with the National Political Do Not Contact Registry and has pledge not to robo call voters on the political do not contact registry.

He is to be commended.

Shaun Dakin

CEO and Founder

StopPoliticalCalls.org

-- Posted by shimane on Sun, Aug 3, 2008, at 3:46 PM

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