Other voices

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, Mar 9, 2008

The Salina Journal, March 4:

We doubt anyone needs more reasons to be frustrated with the U.S. Congress. Nonetheless, we can't help but remind readers of an old one and introduce them to a new one.

The old one should be familiar. In 2003, Congress created the Do Not Call registry. When people sign up, they are protected from unsolicited calls from telemarketers.

Of course, Congress made some exceptions. Nonprofit organizations can call to raise money, and pollsters can call when they are conducting surveys. Those are somewhat understandable.

But lawmakers also exempted themselves. They can bug us for donations and votes whether we like it or not. It is so wrong it is almost funny, and it serves as a prime example of how the political class - particularly those in Washington - hold themselves above the law.

Nowadays, we are tormented with another kind of phone call. Politicians are using their exemption from the Do Not Call List to bombard our homes with robocalls that come from automated systems. It is an inexpensive and fast way to reach voters with tailored messages. ...

Americans are raising a fuss about these irritating calls. Members of Congress are trying to win themselves some popularity by proposing restrictions.

But the restrictions are based on allowing politicians to maintain the trappings of privilege. Sen. Dianne Feinstein's proposal is a good example. The California Democrat would restrict robocalls to the same hours that calls are restricted in the Do Not Call laws. But politicians would still retain their exemption.

As one might imagine, companies that sell robocall services are fighting any restrictions. They say limitations are a violation of their free-speech rights granted in the Constitution.

Hogwash.

We believe and will defend freedoms granted in the First Amendment. But they do not give strangers the right to come into our homes uninvited - whether they are selling widgets or soliciting votes.

Congress should ban robocalls under any circumstances. And while they are at it, they should remove exemptions that give politicians another special privilege.