THE POLITICAL SEASON

As we get close to election time, the phone banks will be dialing for business. When will these attention deficit politicians understand that a pathetic recorded message does not win them any points; rather we get annoyed with their entire message. That an unsolicited call does not win them any vote; we simply turn off to the candidate. Those reminders that seem to catch us at the wrong time only disdains the political process, it does not make us more informed.
The most intriguing questions regarding politicians and the DO NOT CALL REGISTRY are:

1. Must campaign calls honor the DO NOT CALL list?

No. Political calls are exempt.

2. Can politician telemarketers use pre-recorded messages?
If they’re using the classic prerecorded messages, I believe they’re in violation of 47 U.S.C. Section 227:Subpart L–Restrictions on Telephone Solicitation §64.1200 Delivery restrictions.

1. No person may:
1. Initiate any telephone call (other than a call made for
emergency purposes or made with the prior express consent of the
called party) using an automatic telephone dialing system or an
artificial or prerecorded voice,

2. Initiate any telephone call to any residential telephone
line using an artificial or prerecorded voice to deliver a message
without the prior express consent of the called party, unless the call
is initiated for emergency purposes or is exempted by §64.1200(c) of
this section.

Before you bring the Republican or Democratic Parties into small claims court, contact the Attorney General of your state and get their take on it. So far the answers have varied depending upon who you talk with. Ah, those politicians. They make the rules, but make it so they don’t have to follow them.