More Totalitarian Change – Regulating Telephone Use – Do-Not-Call without Government Permission (December 19, 2004)
Regulating Telephone Use – Do-Not-Call without Government Permission
Telemarketers concerned about do-not-call bill (http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1103151815898_15)
CTV News, ctv.ca, Dec 15 ’04
“Earlier this week the government introduced a bill to establish a do-not-call registry for consumers who want to stop endless telemarketing pitches”.
“…The bill proposes tough penalties: Telemarketers who call people on the list would face fines of up to $1,500 per individual and $15,000 for a corporation.”
Bill C-321: An Act to establish and maintain a national Do-Not-Call Registry
www.parl.gc.ca, First Reading: Dec 13 ’04
“6. (1) A merchant shall not make or cause to be made any telephone solicitation to a telephone number that is listed on the latest updated version of the database.
“(2) A merchant who intends to make telephone solicitations shall obtain access to the latest updated version of the database from the Registrar.”
Canadian Marketing Association welcomes legislation to create national do-not-call service (http://www.the-cma.org/media/nr_dnc2004.cfm)
Canadian Marketing Association, www.the-cma.org, Dec 13 ’04
“”We are pleased to see the federal government has responded to our request to establish a national do-not-call service to address the increasing number of consumer complaints regarding some telemarketing practices in Canada,” said John Gustavson, president and CEO of the Canadian Marketing Association.”
Here, you can study the CMA’s logic.
Comments: What’s Wrong with this Bill?
Even though your name is not on this list, it means that companies will have to check the list for the federal government’s permission to call your house every time your phone number comes up. They’re not asking you for your permission – they’re asking for the government’s permission to call you.
This proposed bill is a control mechanism. Our society is in a race to see how far we can go in regulating every aspect of life. It is a massive blanket interference – demanded by babies – to use Daddy government to prevent all possible inconveniences – instead of letting people settle these problems in normal ways.
The next step is for people to demand a “do not call” list to prevent calls from non-commercial sources or anybody at all. We’ll all have to check a registry before calling an old acquaintance or a long lost relative. Now, that would be absurd, right? Right?! What’s that? You think that’s a good idea, don’t you?! And a hefty fine or jail sentence for offenders too. And maybe we can have the reverse type of list – a list with the names of callers who are not allowed to call particular people. And the federal government can manage that too! All you people who lose jobs in telemarketing can join up with the government to manage their lists! Let’s all manage lists together and the economy can go to damnation.
Oh, but of course it’s OK to stomp on businesses, isn’t it? Because businesses are trying to make money – not like everyone else, oh no. And we all know how trying to sell something and make money is such a malicious inhuman act!
This bill is a violation of free speech plain and simple. Do most companies really want to alienate potential customers by harassing them? Nonsense. And if a company makes a mistake, and calls one of the people on this list, they get punished with a huge fine.
It makes it more difficult, expensive and risky for non-established companies to get customers. Think about your friends and family members who struggle with their own business!! And maybe that’s what it’s all about. This legislation isn’t just for babies who don’t want to screen calls or turn the phone off during supper; it’s also for well-healed babies who don’t want to suffer competition from energetic new businesses.