Posted on 09/27/2003 7:05:03 AM PDT by joesbucks
I've read over the course of the past few months the numerous threads regarding the use of telemarketing and the intrusion it has on our homes.
I had a long discussion with my wife who hates the intrusion. I ask her why did they call her? She had no idea. Well, despite the black eye telemarketers get, it's probably the most effective way to get business. Even Mrs. Me admitted that if they called about something that she had an interest in, she probably would buy. BINGO.
But let's look at if from another perspective. You will see numerous threads about how regulation is driving business from our shores to others. How we've taken manufacturing and moved it to low cost countries. Not because of productivity, but because of emission regulations or community groups that complain about the noise, smell or traffic caused by the facility. Even right to know and safety concerns. Changes necessary would be costly and not enforeced across the border or across the pond so companies locate there.
We seen threads about government regulation taking over our lives. Yet when it comes to a minor inconvience, we run to the government for help from the big bad telemarketers.
What's the difference between regulating out a obnoxiouis telephone call but not noxiouis fumes from the plant next door?
What happens when all the telemarketing jobs get exported to Ireland or India and our laws don't extend to them? And the calls continue cause we can't stop them.
What are we to do with all the folks who try to eek out a living working in a humid cramped call center. Many are the folks we drove from the welfare rolls with welfare reform (a good thing). Many are college students trying to earn their way through college. Others are seniors trying to supplement a fixed income. Or the physically disabled who find work in a sitting position reading a script, possibly from the company you work for or possibly even own. Some are just the slugs of life and a call center is the only way they've managed to find some sort of paycheck. What do you suggest they do for a living that's not immoral, illegal or indecent?
I find it amazing that we would rally all day about government intrusion and regulation on companies, yet we have rallied to stop a few phone calls a week or day.
The other thing to remember is that there are several ways that you will still get calls. They WILL NOT GO AWAY. Doing business with a company? They can call. Done business with them in the past 18 months? They can call. Signed up for one of those free give aways recently? You can now legitimately get a call. Charities. Exempt. Local lib dem candidate? Exempt. Pollsters. Exempt. Probably a thousand other loop holes? Exempt too!
Well said. You nail the essential problem with most citizens in the U.S. today.
I am astounded at the numerous members of the is forum, FreeRepublic.com, that constantly defend and encourage unconstitutional government intrusion and regulation of fellow citizens lives.
They complain loudly when the government intrusion and regulation does not fit their lifestyle or agenda, but when it does fit their agenda, there is no objection at all.
And worst than that, they call themselves conservatives and/or Republicans.
I can prevent people from knocking on my door with the addition of a No Solicitation sign. Until the DNC list, I've not been able to do that with the phone.
LOL. Even worse are the phones that beat you over the head and force you to answer them.
That's right.
There's something just wrong about pestering - folks have a right to a simple remedy, in law. Period.
NO, that's trying to cure the ailment by giving the patient more of the poison that's already killing him. Government (law) is not the solution.
Remove the regulations that exist, allow the telephone business to be truly "free market." If people really want to block telephone solicitation, the telephone company that offers that service will succeed. The other's either offer the service, or get gobbled up.
Hank
Who is going to administer this program? Who is going to enforce it? Do the telephone companies do this on their own, voluntarily? That would be both good and right, and I, at least, would have no problem with that.
Hank
Which is part of the problem I have with the whole Do Not Call concept. I correlate telemarketing with organized crime. These people lie for a living (sort of like the Democrat Party). They haven't the slightest interest in abiding by the law so why should we expect laws to deter them?
Better that we just borrow a few daisy cutters from CentCom and plop them on their marketing centers. We need to treat them like the lawless terrorists that they are.
Well, yes, since the phone companies are probably prevented at present from offering such a service.
Socialism is difficult to reform - that's why Alexander's technique with the Gordian Knot is so attractive.
'Heads on pikes' is my handle, after all. ;^)
Well, I figured out one way: buy cell phone service, and give up the land line. There would be many other ways if telephone service was deregulated, but instead we are talking about adding more regulation. It's actually pretty pathetic.
It isn't the government regulating companies.
It's me, regulating what gets said by strangers in my kitchen.
These telemarketers do not have the right to free speech in my kitchen any more than I have the right to "freedom of assembly" in your bedroom. (which is also "regulated" by the government---by the POLICE no less!).
As a techo-challenged putz, explain to me why junk calls don't get through on cell phones.
I believe the determining factor is the competition in the cell phone market, not regulation although there might be some regulation also.
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