| Comment Number: | OL-103125 |
| Received: | 11/28/2004 7:53:03 AM |
| Organization: | |
| Commenter: | Nancy Ranger |
| State: | AZ |
| Subject: | Trade Regulation Rule on Telemarketing Sales |
| Title: | Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, Request for Comment |
| CFR Citation: | 16 CFR Part 310 |
| No Attachments |
Comments:
I strongly oppose the proposed amendment of the TSR that would allow pre-recorded telemarketing messages to consumers. Even though consumers would have the option to 'opt out' of receiving further calls, this would open up a deluge of unwanted and harrassing calls into our homes and private lives. Often times, it has been difficult to track down the correct contact for the 'opt out' feature for mailings, so there is nothing to indicate it would be efficient to do so for phone solicitations. And even if an efficient process were put into place, we should not have to say, again, that we do not want telemarketing calls let into our homes, recorded or otherwise. These calls invade a peaceful existence in the United States by putting the burden upon the citizen to have to take numerous actions to prevent disturbances of sleep and a peaceful existence in our private homes. Often the required action/contact can be confusing and time-consuming which causes many people to be unable to complete the action. Simply put, it is an invasion of privacy. If another citizen were to call our homes as often as one telemarketer does, legal action against harrassment would be an option. When a supposedly free citizen of our country has to take additional actions to ensure peaceful privacy in their own home, the FTC and government have crossed the line into being a detriment to the health of our nation. Concerned citizens were given a vehicle last year to prevent unwanted contact from telemarketers. Simply because we have purchased a product or service from a company, DOES NOT indicate we welcome telemarketing calls from that company and/or that company's associates. Will the government never cease in taking away our freedoms? Why does the government insist on trying to control the environment within our homes, when we ask for nothing more than to not be harrassed. We are told to take one action to prevent telemarketing calls, and now we are told that action is useless. This does not make sense. The government does not hesitate so censor our media in the guise of protecting its citizens from what it considers negative data. Why will that same government not stand up for citizens who have already indicated that telemarketing is negative data? When will our government allow us to make decisions for ourselves, without continuing to negate those decisions? The workplace is governed by laws that ensure an environment free of harrassment exists for all. Why can't a person make that same decision for themselves within their private homes? Thank you.