# Public Service Announcement - How To Deal With Campaign Workers **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [July 31, 2010, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-service-announcement-how-to-deal-with-campaign-workers/548730 "2010-07-31T21:44:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2010, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-service-announcement-how-to-deal-with-campaign-workers/548730/41 "2010-08-07T15:43:03Z")
Not a windsock. They actually want input to see what the people want. That does not make it policy. It is seeking information to make an intelligent decision. Politicians want their constituents to call and email them, but very few do. So they have people call to get more input. They are not trying to ruin your life with horrible and deadly intrusions. They are just trying to see what matters to you. If you enjoy taking out you anger and demonstrate your rudeness on people you do not know, instead of putting your views forth to those who can actually implement them, have at it. But don’t bitch because you don’t seem to be represented. You passed your chance up to let the pols know what matters to you be a jerk instead. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2010, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-service-announcement-how-to-deal-with-campaign-workers/548730/42 "2010-08-07T16:41:05Z")
Gonzo, you’re ignoring the provocation. I do not bother other people. Hell, I go out of my way to avoid bothering others most of the time. I will not knock on your door, call you on the phone, or send you junk mail. I expect you (generic) to do the same for me. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2010, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-service-announcement-how-to-deal-with-campaign-workers/548730/43 "2010-08-07T22:08:03Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > Gonzo, you’re ignoring the provocation. I do not bother other people. Hell, I go out of my way to avoid bothering others most of the time. I will not knock on your door, call you on the phone, or send you junk mail. I expect you (generic) to do the same for me. You’ll act like that until something comes up that you think is important enough to justify knocking on people’s doors or calling them to make them aware of your issue, I’m sure. It’s all “a bother” until it’s something people care about, then it’s just “doing the right thing”. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2010, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-service-announcement-how-to-deal-with-campaign-workers/548730/44 "2010-08-07T22:12:29Z")
> [@Zakalwe](#): > > Now. Some people have decided that because I have a phone line, it’s in THEIR interest to call me on it. Repeatedly. Seeking information that is valuable to them. Yet they offer me no compensation for providing this valuable service. In fact, providing this service actually COSTS me time. Still okay? Nope. Stop hyperventilating for a second and make some sense. No one who you have already talked to would call you again for those same opinions, would they? So the “repeatedly” part of your annoyance is only that your phone rings. If you’d answer it and tell them something, anything, they wouldn’t have to call your number anymore. They could check it off their list, even if all you said was “up yours I’m not interested” or “I’m still voting for Dewey!” And if you don’t see any value in your elected officials, and even the candidates, knowing what’s on their constituents minds, then I’d say you have a long way to go to understanding what a participatory democratic republic should look and act like. ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2010, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-service-announcement-how-to-deal-with-campaign-workers/548730/45 "2010-08-10T16:38:32Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > Politicians want their constituents to call and email them, but very few do. Those few are a reasonably good sampling of the voters who actually give much of a damn about this or that issue. > [@](#): > > So they have people call to get more input. They are not trying to ruin your life with horrible and deadly intrusions. They are just trying to see what matters to you. Nine out of ten times, by the time I’ve handed to call off to the cat, I’ve also ascertained that the “poll” is a push poll designed to generate a faux popular mandate for a predetermined position, not an attempt to ascertain existing public opinion. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2010, 7:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-service-announcement-how-to-deal-with-campaign-workers/548730/46 "2010-08-11T07:12:57Z")
Calling a person to give them an opportunity to have their voice heard is not provocation. It can be argued that you are lucky someone asked for your input. They don’t call everybody. Those who get called get stronger representation than those who hang up or don’t get called. ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2010, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-service-announcement-how-to-deal-with-campaign-workers/548730/47 "2010-08-13T16:41:19Z")
> [@Steve\_MB](#): > > > [@gonzomax](#): > > > > Politicians want their constituents to call and email them, but very few do. > > Those few are a reasonably good sampling of the voters who actually give much of a damn about this or that issue. > > > [@](#): > > > > So they have people call to get more input. They are not trying to ruin your life with horrible and deadly intrusions. They are just trying to see what matters to you. > > Nine out of ten times, by the time I’ve handed to call off to the cat, I’ve also ascertained that the “poll” is a push poll designed to generate a faux popular mandate for a predetermined position, not an attempt to ascertain existing public opinion. Not talking about polling. I’m concerned more with campaign calls from candidates seeking support. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-service-announcement-how-to-deal-with-campaign-workers/548730.md?page=2)