'Abusive' political robocalls targeted by senators

"Robocalls," the bane of many an Americans' existence during the heat of political campaigns, would encounter new limits under a U.S. Senate bill proposed Tuesday.

Under the "Robocall Privacy Act of 2008," anyone who makes or sets up the one-sided, computer-generated calls without following certain rules could be hit with fines of up to $1,000 per violation--or up to $3,000 if those violations are found to be "willful."

The rules would look like this: No calls after 9 p.m. or before 8 a.m., no more than two calls to the same telephone number per day, no masking the robocaller's number or identity on caller ID tools, and no calls that fail to disclose a) that the call is recorded and b) who's behind it. That means that unless you're a late-night diner, it may not be possible to escape those dinnertime calls entirely, but you may at least have a better chance of screening them out.

The law would apply only to robocalls related to candidates running for federal office, including those placed by supporters and opponents alike. The rules would be effective only during certain time periods: the 60 days leading up to a general, special, or run-off election; and the 30 days leading up to a primary election, a caucus, or a political nominating convention.

The restrictions don't appear to have any bearing on calls delivered by live people who are, say, dialing from candidate-sponsored phone banks.

The bill is sponsored by Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii), and Arlen Specter (R-Penn.), who said they're reacting to rampant complaints from constituents bothered by robocall "abuse," including as many as 30 calls in a single night.

Arguably there's also a little self-interest at play on the politicians' part: The bill begins by proclaiming, "Abusive political robocalls harass voters and discourage them from participating in the political process."

Many states already have laws limiting robocalls or are considering enacting them. Colorado, for instance, is reportedly weighing such a measure at the moment.

Just last week, Congress voted to extend the federal Do-Not-Call registry, but political calls are specifically exempted from that mechanism, which allows Americans to opt out of receiving telemarketer calls.

[Pete Bardo]

How about using the same rules as telemarketers?

Funny how politicians seem to exempt themselves from the rules they place on others. Telemarketers are required to screen numbers against the do-not-call registry, why not politicians. When I tell a telemarketer not to call anymore, or to remove my name from their list, they are required to do so-why not politicians?

And why are they calling my cell phone anyway. Why should I use my minutes to hang up on a call from a politician who just assured that I will not vote for them.

These guys are just a slimy as any other telemarketer. How about making them follow the same rules as everyone else for a change.

[dfsmith]

Because...

They already know you won't vote for the person making the call. So they harass you using the identity of the person they want to lose.

I agree with your main sentiment though: make them follow the rules. The non-profits seem to know that Do-Not-Call people really don't like contributing to solicitors, so it's self-policing. But negative campaigning doesn't have the same economics....

[little sue]

politician call

DO NOT CALL PERIOD.I AM VERY TIRED ALL THE POLITICIAN WHO ONLY CALL WHEN THEY WHAT YOUR VOTE.THE POLITICIANS CARE ONLY FOR THEMSELVES.SO STOP CALLING MY NUMBER.

[stoppoliticalcalls]

StopPoliticalCalls.org Working NOW to reduce robocalls

This is a good first step.

These calls are an epidemic and are invading the privacy of All American Voters.

Our members are taking a stand and saying enough is enough at the National Political Do Not Contact Registry at StopPoliticalCalls.org.

Here is a quote from a member this morning:

"I find it very frustrating... I tend to get calls at the WORST time. I have a one year old daughter, and it NEVER fails that the phone will ring when I put her down for a nap or for bed. Also my vote is PRIVATE... so who do you think you are calling with a survey to find out who I am voting for!!! Stop calling me."

Regards,

Shaun Dakin
CEO and Founder
http://www.stoppoliticalcalls.org

[spruceman]

DO NOT CALL!!! PERIOD!!!

The rules for Do Not Call should be extended to cover most of the current groups currently excepted -- political calls, calls from non-profits, public radio, and whatever else a telephone subscriber doesn't want invading his peace and quiet.

Whatever penalties there are in place currently, should be tripled if the call is to a cell phone or any other number for which the recipient is charged.

Those Robocalls should be outlawed entirely; because they do not give one a chance to cuss out the bastards who make the calls in the first place. Nor does it give me a chance to tell them I can't talk now but give me your home # so I can return theat 3 AM.

They make me want to take their 800 (or other toll-free) number, go to a payphone and call it back incessantly, so they get billed the 28 cents a call that an 800 account have to pay to reimburse the owner of the payphone plus whatever they pay per call otherwise. That's good enough reason in itself to outlaw their falsifying their 800 numbers.

[Michael00360]

They are no different from telemarketors

Their agenda is basically the same. Get you to support their cause. So why should they have different rules. If you are going to enforce an do not call registry, then enforce it on everyone. I don't want solicitations calls from anyone. PERIOD!

[bill19723]

This link shows how to easily and immediately stop computer geterated calls. It works, and it?s free. http://aofra.com