The following is an open letter sent this week to U.S. Rep. Howard “Buck” McKeon, R-Santa Clarita.
Dear Representative McKeon,
The National Do Not Call List was an extremely welcome tool to the country’s residents. Unfortunately it has become toothless and impotent.
The number and frequency of telemarketers and business people now calling residences and cell phones is beyond advertising. The calls are deeply intrusive and pure harassment. Just yesterday I had the same company call my home twice within 48 minutes.
This week the L.A. Times ran a story on the subject, citing nearly 4 million violation complaints in 2012 to the Federal Trade Commission department that is to enforce the National Do Not Call List. Keep in mind, that is merely the number of formal complaints. Sadly, the FTC only pursues about 50 companies a year for the 221 million numbers on the list.
The FCC, another governmental department, has a rule stating individuals and businesses must obtain written consent for auto-dialed or robo-calls to be placed. In addition, by 2012, the FCC eliminated the loophole of the “established business relationship” exception.
Naturally, most of the violators ignore the “press one” option if you wish to not be called again. They make dead-air calls and have bogus destinations for returned calls.
The violators clearly do not mind being brash and arrogant; thus I do not mind airing their recorded identifying information left on my phone from just this last week:
Marysville, Wash. 360-322- 6184
Dir. Assist. Ctr. 661-555-8541
Anaheim, Calif. 714-408-4620
Hartwell, Geo. 760-805-1591
San Jose, Calif. 408-550-1647
Bakersfield, Calif. 661-283 0060
Incontrovertibly, the public knows of the vast resources for tracking and identifying violators that our government possesses. Thus it seems quite reasonable for Congress to become involved immediately. Stiff financial penalties are a great deterrent and a valid revenue source.
Telemarketers have sued and lost in the courts. They are on the wrong side of this.
It’s past time to take action.
Many of us are asking for Congress’ help.
Thank you.
Betty Arenson, Valencia
Betty Arenson has lived in the SCV since 1968 and describes herself as a conservative who’s concerned about progressives’ politics and their impacts on the country, her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She says she is unashamed to own a gun or a Bible, couldn’t care less about the color of the president’s skin, and demands that he uphold his oath to protect and follow the Constitution of the United States in its entirety. Her commentary publishes Fridays.
I Said, Do Not Call
