I have been a telemarketer for the last 15 years.
I’m qualified to share a telemarketer’s point of view about our negative, media-generated image.
Angry residents have told their story too often.
Most people will not consider my alternate view unless they have actually done telemarketing themselves. Some of the negative perception is justified, and some is political propaganda.
We respect that there are companies performing questionable operations and make our best personal effort to avoid working for them.
As a veteran telemarketer, I fear that the government, the news media and the telecommunications industry are working too closely to create new laws and products that come dangerously close to infringing on our rights–as individuals and citizens of the United States–to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness (“FTC unveils rules to cut telephone sales calls,” Business, Dec. 19).
We contribute significantly to the economy.
We have a right to make a living.
Our elected government officials are making it much too easy for anybody with a telephone to attack our rights to earn a living, in the name of personal privacy. New anti-telemarketing laws and products were created without input by the people who are going to be most adversely affected–telemarketers! We have had to “put up and shut up” long enough, and should not have to endure this treatment.
We are already regulated enough, and should not have to suffer more because we are doing our jobs.
The telemarketers do have a right to earn a living free from government interference like anyone else.
All we ask is that you let us do our jobs.
We have every right to expect that you show us the same level of respect you demand of us.
