OPINION:
I am sure that I am not the only independent voter who is extremely annoyed by the relentless phone calls, recordings and surveys coming from those running for the office of U.S. president.
For more than two weeks, from 9 AM to 8 PM, I received a bombardment of repeat phone calls some 10 to 12 times a day from the various candidates trying to browbeat me into submission (as though I were a brainless, uneducated moron who needed to be told how to vote). At first I extended each of them the courtesy of answering their survey questions. But when they continued to call, I began just hanging up — only to have the same candidates’ services call again. At that point, I turned off all of my phone ringers, answering machine and caller I.D. on my satellite dish, which showed the incoming calls on my T.V. screen.
As it was, I had sent in my absentee ballot three weeks before the South Carolina primary and already voted, but that didn’t matter. Whether anyone running for office cares, our telephones are for our convenience and emergencies; they are not a bully pulpit for a bunch of politicians.
It’s bad enough to have to deal with telemarketers. Now we have to be harassed and contend with inconsiderate people running for office? That’s not how to get votes. One call from each candidate would have been sufficient.
GREGORY J. TOPLIFF
Warrenville, S.C.
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