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Politics : Piffer Thread on Political Rantings and Ravings -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: jcky who wrote (6305)	1/22/2002 10:46:18 PM
From: Original Mad Dog	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 14610

The use of the term payola is offensive and accusatory. We here at the R&R thread prefer the term "deferred gift to Friend". <g>

To: jcky who wrote (6305)	1/22/2002 10:50:26 PM
From: Original Mad Dog	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 14610

Thread poll no. 2...are you in favor of the FTC's proposal to further limit telemarketing: <cut and paste your pick> OMD Yes dailynews.yahoo.com Tuesday January 22 7:18 PM ET Rules Aim to Curb Telemarketers By DAVID HO, Associated Press Writer WASHINGTON (AP) - People who want to stop most telemarketers from calling their homes will be able to do so with a single request if the government has its way. The Federal Trade Commission said Tuesday it wants to create a national ``do not call'' registry, strengthening existing telemarketing rules that forbid late-night calls and deceptive sales tactics. The proposed changes would also prevent telemarketers from hiding their identities from consumer's caller ID boxes and keep them from sharing billing information about their customers. ``We're not saying 'don't call.' It's consumers saying 'don't call,''' said Howard Beales, the FTC's director of consumer protection. ``They would prefer not to get calls entirely or at inconvenient times.'' For Peg Keeley, 64, sales calls got so bad she had her call waiting disconnected so telemarketers would stop interrupting her on the phone. The retired government worker from Springfield, Ill., said she gets as many as four calls a day, bothering her during meals or when she has company. ``They were interrupting me and I didn't know how to do away with them,'' Keeley said. She said things have gotten better without her call waiting because ``if I'm on the phone at least they can't get through to me.'' Current rules require specific telemarketers to obey when consumers ask to be put on a ``do not call'' list. Under the new proposal, Beales said, one toll-free call to the FTC would stop most telemarketing calls made from outside a consumer's state. Consumers could choose to allow calls from certain companies or charities. Telemarketers would have to update their no-call lists monthly from the national list, which would cost the agency between $4 million and $6 million in the first year. The FTC plans public hearings in June on the registry and other proposed telemarketing regulations. Agency commissioners could vote on the changes as soon as a year from now. Beales said the list would make it easier for investigators to follow up on consumer complaints of telemarketers who call anyway. Violators could be fined up to $11,000 for each call. Telemarketers say a national registry isn't needed. H. Robert Wientzen, president of the Direct Marketing Association, said people who do not want to be called can request that their names be added his group's list, which has 4.1 million names. He said many telemarketers, including those calling from within states, participate in the service and abide by the list. ``The government may be overstepping its boundaries by spending taxpayer dollars to limit communication,'' Wientzen said. He said the proposed rules would hurt the industry, driving companies out of the country to avoid the regulations. Beales said the national registry would apply to companies that aren't part of the association. More than 25 states already have legislation requiring ``do not call'' lists, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. In 1988, Florida became the first with a measure intended to protect senior citizens. Beales said the FTC would work with states to ensure the national list and local lists work together. The FTC does not have jurisdiction over banks, telephone carriers and nonprofit groups. However, an agency proposal prompted by the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks would expand telemarketing rules that apply to sales calls to cover abusive or deceptive calls from charities seeking donations. - On the Net: Federal Trade Commission: ftc.gov Direct Marketing Association: the-dma.org