Even though I am on the "do not call" list, and periodically renew that status, I screen all my calls and almost never answer any calls unless I know the caller on my caller ID. Today I answered a call from "unknown name - unknown number" and as result of my experience, I am truly disappointed with the Democratic National Committee.
First, a disclaimer, I come from a family of unabashed Democrats. My parents were Roosevelt Democrats who loved Truman and Kennedy. I have voted for Democrats for president ever since I turned 18. I have once voted for a Republican governor when the Republican was more liberal than the Democrat (D - John Silber, R - William Weld in Massachusetts). Nonetheless, I am registered as "Unenrolled" so that I can vote in either party's primaries depending on the circumstances.
Today when I answered the phone there was a moment of silence and just when I was about to hang up, I woman with a decidedly southern accent mispronounced my name. This is not uncommon since, although my name has only 7 letters is it unusual and similar to another more-common surname. The caller then proceeded to tell me that she was calling on behalf of the Democratic National Committee and that it is vital that Congress pass President Obama's stimulas package. I whole-heartedly agreed with her and told her that I would gladly call my Congresswoman (N. Tsongas) to encourage her to support the legislation (although I know that she is already behind it). The caller then asked me to donate $100 to the DNC to put pressure on Congress to pass the legislation. While I don't know how such a contribution would "put pressure" on Congress, I did not question her on how exactly the donation would acheive the results she was advancing. It is normally my policy not to make donations over the phone. I have read and heard of too many telemarketers who are scammers or who take a disproportionate share of the donations. I would rather go on-line or donate in person (when possible). I politely advised the caller that I would not make the requested donation of $100 and fully expected her to ask if I would make a smaller donation or at least thank me for indicating that I would call my Congresswoman. Instead, much to my surprise the caller's response was to ask "Why not?"!! Now, although I am paying for my son to attend college and like everyone else I have been watching my pennies, I am so far able to keep my head above water financially. However, I know so many people who are out of work or losing their homes or otherwise drowning in debt even though they are fully employed. I was shocked and dismayed that this caller would have the audacity to ask me why I wasn't willing to donate $100 to the DNC. Especially considering the state of the economy and the fact that she was calling about the stimulus plan! Perhaps in the calm reflection of hindsight I should have engaged her in further conversation and suggest that it none of her business (nor the DNC's for that matter) what I do with my money, however I simply hung up to express my anger.
When I told my wife what happened she told me that some of her friends had also received calls soliciting money and that they were also pissed. I am not angry that I received such a call in fact I have received calls requesting donations to Republicans which I also turn down but for philosophical reasons. What has me concerned is that if this caller is representative of the DNC's fundraising machine, the DNC will alienate voters through the use of such tactics. Again, I live in Massachusetts and maybe it is assumed that 1) I'm a Democrat, and 2) I would make such a donation. Has anyone else had a similar experience or have I experienced a "rogue" telemarketer? If I am not alone, someone needs to talk to the DNC about what is going on. I assume they do not know.