Democrats To Push Legislation To Make Fraudulent Election "Robo-Calls" A Crime

[JABBS]

Click here for the whole story.

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Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said he and Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-IL) are looking at a host of deceptive practices.

Among those that were practiced in the 2006 election cycle were robo-calls in New Jersey and elsewhere that were designed to sound as if they came from the Democratic candidate. If a voter hung up the phone, the robo-call would redial again and again. If the caller stayed on the line, the message went from positive sounding for the Democrat to negative.

In other examples, the calls peddled disinformation -- such as the location of a polling place. Criticizing the robo-call dirty tricks, Schumer was blunt. "It's despicable" and the perpetrators "should go to jail for 10 years."

[AndyA]

1. I would think something like this should have already been illegal.

Frankly, I think political calls should be part of the "Do Not Call" list. If a number is on the list, they do not want solicitation calls. In fact, I've always thought lists like that should be opt out by default, which forces the customer to sign up to receive them.

I thought Hillary Clinton was working on legislation to this effect, no doubt the GOP led Congress quashed it.

[sillyparty]

2. We Can Only Hope

I won't hold my breath. Democrats only want to see how they can punish Dems.

As for actually getting something done, that can help Democrats win elections we have no time.

Don't you have a Dem we can all pile-on.

Can't you say, you will never vote Democrat again, because some Senator said something we didn't like.

Thank You, robo-calls did hurt some races. But Democrats only want to blame someone like Emmnaual. We don't want to work toward actually doing something.

[KSU Wildcat]

3. I think all political robo calls should be illegal...nt

[splat]

4. I want a political Do Not Call list

They have no right to wake me up and interrupt my dinner to push recordings at me. This is harassment by both parties.

[JABBS]

6. it's a good idea

I'd also like a general no robo-call list. Why should any company be able to dial 10,000 lines at once? If they have something to sell, get a human on the phone.

[chaz4jazz]

5. And make them retroactive!

Like the laws they passed retroactively RELEASING them from responsibility of their acts, these new laws should be retroactive and the Gov should prosecute those offenders from 2000 on.

[beaconess]

7. Can't do that - it's unconstitutional

As attractive as it is to use a new law to punish these past acts, it can't be done since retroactive - "ex post facto" - laws are unconstitutional. People can't be punished for acts that weren't criminal at the time they committed them.

But from here on . . .