Yesterday, I became absolutely, unreasonably flipped-out furious. Many things about modern political campaigns enrage me because they violate decency, morals, and ethics. Today, I'm not talking about any of those things. Instead, I'm talking about a political practice that annoys me on a petty, mosquito-nipping-at-my-throat level.
I'm talking about the automated campaign telephone call.
Does anyone find it convincing when you get a call from George W. Bush or Bill Clinton? Does it make you feel all warm inside to have some tape-recorded pol call you friend?
I didn't think so.
Yesterday, after a particularly long day writing, I went to the grocery store. I had just walked in the house with my arms full of groceries, when I received the following phone call:
"Hi, friend. I'm Steve Greenberg, and I'm running for Congress from the 8th district."
Not 15 minutes later, I received a second call from the same campaign, and I blew my top. Seriously, it's August, people. Isn't it a little bit early to be so aggressive?
So first, I looked up his web site. He's a Republican, running against my current representative, whom I actually happen to like. I sent Greenberg the following email:
Are you trying to antagonize voters? Because if you are, you're succeeding. It is only August 25. I just received TWO phone calls in the last ten minutes. This is outrageous. Stop it.I still felt angry, so I called the campaign office and left a similarly furious message on the answering machine.
Still not feeling satisfied, I sent a second email:
You'll be happy to know that I just sent money to the Obama presidential campaign. Every time my phone receives an automated call from your campaign, I will send money to Melissa Bean (the incumbent and Greenberg's Democratic opponent) or Barack Obama. This isn't spite. I'm voting for them anyway. I just want you to know that the despicable practice of automated campaign calls is going to cost you.P.S. You're also going to be the topic of my blog tomorrow.
Let them get a string of phone calls they'd rather not listen to, and maybe they'll figure out how it feels.
Anyone else want to play?
21 comments:
Good for you! It is unreasonable... and it is only August.
I am sorry that you had to feel such anger, but I think you acted appropriately.
I am with you! I usually just get irritated and mutter, but the taking of action is what creates change, so good for you! I tell my clients that anger can be the emotion that tells you someone has walked over your line and can energize you to take the steps needed to get them back where they belong...great example!
Hee hee. Good on you Ruth. My goodness....I have never been the recepient of calls like that and I am not sure in Canada that campaigners do such things. I sure hope not! Yikes....it would certainly get me irritated!
Those automated calls are a terrible way to try an get support! I also don't like getting the propaganda style e-mails telling me so and so isn't "Christian" because of.....
Right before the primary (whatever month that was), I recall getting 17 calls during a weekend. It might have been Mitt Romney. Yes. That's who. If there's anything that will alienate me, it's hounding me with unwelcome and uninvited phone calls prompting me to buy something - whether it is a service, a material product or an ideology.
Those calls shouldn't even be legal.
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You go girl!! I detest those calls and I love your way of dealing with them!
I also hate mud slinging! I notice that Obama at least talks about what he's going to do...all we've heard from McCain so far is what he thinks Obama has done wron and negative things about Obama's family! I've heard enough of that...it helped me decide that Obama is who I'm voting for and I NEVER know who I'm going to vote for this early on!
The "good old boys" have lost another one!! ;)
Stealing that tactic. A great idea.
If you're on the federal "Do Not Call" list, I think that should also cover thse things.
They say to register as an "independent" to limit such calls.
Love your tactic! Good for you!
Oh, I'm glad that style of campaigning hasn't reached the UK.
If it happens again you could invoice them for your time.
I don't think you went overboard, I think you handled it in a very smart way! Last time my mom went on vacation they filled her answering machine up with those idiotic messages while she was gone, and there was no room for me to leave an important message for her. I was HOPPING mad!
We don't use an answering service, so we were getting the phone ringing and a dead line all the time. Sometimes 5 calls a night, and maybe once a week we actually got the person. It was always the phone company asking us to talk about new services. We went ballistic finally and demanded to be put on their DNC list. The finally did, but never sent the letter of apology. One of the supervisors even hung up on me. That is why we are going to satellite we hope and discontinue our landline.
The political ones, we usually say, Hey, we are voting for Obama. we cannot contribute or aid the campaign. Please don't call us, use your resources some place where they are needed. Surprising that has worked.
I am on your side. Never thought of such a good plan to get them to stop! You are so smart!
You go girl!
Ruth, that's priceless! Standing ovation here - and I'm stealing that tactic too, and adapting it for England. ;)
The Federal "Do Not Call" list gets rid of the telemarketers, but unfortunately the charities and the politicians were exempted. Thank you, Congress and lobbyists, for blowing it yet again!
Good for you Ruth! -and I'm gonna steal your line!
It always feels a bit like an invasion of privacy - AND an annoyance.
We hate those so much we considered ditching our phone service. I kept it for business reasons but went to another company that includes caller ID in the base service package. Of course the messages still go through to my voice mail.
More and more I'm starting to speak up about things like this (much to my daughter's embarrassment).
You go girl!!! Seriously!!!
good for you! And, anger has its proper uses! this would be one of them.
I agree with the others here - not over the top at all. In fact, I'm going to start to do the same.
Well done you!
Sounds infuriating. A lot of people in the UK, though, get the emails. Especially the Republican ones, urging us to do what God's telling us and vote for them. Urgh.
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