Robo-calls

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.