Early Voting In Texas...

Early voting in Texas is about to drive me crazy.  Who came up with this idea anyway?

First of all, I don't trust it.  There's too much time for funny business.  Anyone want to vote for a dead person?  I'm sure they'd say everything is closely monitored, blah, blah, blah, but I still think there's too much time involved and I'd rather see voting on one day.  If you know you can't vote on that particular day you can always vote absentee (although I'm not sure I like that any better than early voting for the same reason).

What's really driving me crazy is the "robo" calls.  Does anyone listen to them?  Don't most of us hang up within the first few seconds?  Actually, I don't particularly care for the real human being calls either.  I can't even begin to tell you how many calls I've received in the last couple of weeks.

I'm on the Texas Do Not Call List and the National Do Not Call List.  I do not miss the numerous calls I used to receive from people selling siding, a new roof, etc.  The Do Not Call Lists were a wonderful idea and enacted into law because people were sick and tired of running to the phone (especially at dinner time) only to find someone (often rude) determined to sell you something and unwilling to take no for an answer.

The laws were a great idea, but guess who writes the laws?  Yes, politicians write and enact the laws and in their infinite wisdom they decided to exclude themselves.  That means come election time (and especially early voting time) they can harass us with their annoying calls.

This practice transcends all political followings and beliefs.  I've received calls from (or on behalf) of Republicans, Democrats, and even an Independent candidate.  To me it's indicitive of an attitude that many running for political office seem to posess.  It says to me, I'm so important I don't have to respect or honor a law that was made for the little people. 

It's a matter of respect...or lack of respect for the people that vote.  I cannot figure out a way to stop it.  A couple of years ago I E-mail both the county Republican and Democratic parties and asked to be taken off their calling lists.  I never received a reply from either party.

When a real human being calls I tell them that I don't want to be called and to remove my name from their list.  Often they immediately tell me that the Do Not Call Lists don't apply to them.  I know that and I'm merely asking them to respect my wishes if they want my vote. 

Perhaps I should run for political office?  I'll be the candidate that promises to respect the spirit of The Do Not Call List and not bother anyone with phone calls.  I think with so many people no longer having land lines the ones that still do receive all the calls.  I'm sure the phone lists are made up by using home addresses on the voter registration list and finding the phone listings.  It probably wouldn't happen as much with an unlisted number or a cell phone.  If I wasn't a registered voter I wouldn't receive calls either.

It's not fair.  I want to keep my land line and I want to vote.  With everything that's going on in our lives right now I can't ignore the phone.  So, I continue to run when it rings.  Election day can't come soon enough.