[Re: Loose Cannon: Belaboring a (Percentage) Point, Direct Newsline, Sept. 9, 2003]:
Every since I read the total number of lost jobs that may result as a part of these regulations, I’ve wondered if the economic gurus in Washington really understand what this could mean to the economy. Although I’ve read various figures ranging from 300,000 to 2 million jobs to be lost, even the lower end of this spectrum could have significant impact on the unemployment rate, which in turn could have significant impact on the stock market and economy as a whole.
Unfortunately, with a bill like this, I fear it’s more politics than anything. The general populous has no idea of the short to mid term consequences the no-call registry will have on the economy. (For that matter, they aren’t even sure exactly what the no-call registry entails, because it surely doesn’t stop people calling their homes pitching things.) Therefore, they support it wholeheartedly, and their local and state representatives will be well regarded by pushing for it. Next elections, everyone will be sure to remind people of this ‘victory’ in order to garner necessary votes. Those who would have gone against this trend may have found themselves losing votes to someone who did push for the regulation.
Funny how political parties are still allowed to telemarket then, isn’t it?
Chris Vriavas
Operations Manager
Lycos, Inc.
* * * * * I think you are on to something. DNC (Do-Not-Call) may well equal DNW (Do-Not-Work). Politicians and bureaucrats think such restrictions on commercial speech are populist vote getters with no budgetary implications. They are wrong. The cost comes when legions of laid off workers go from the taxpayer rolls to the unemployment rolls, a double whammy that could cost this administration a second term.
While Bush relies on tax cuts to stimulate the economy, his bureaucrats are busy exterminating jobs. I think the DMA, ATA, and every other business association should insist on a summit with the President to get this message across.
I have done my small part by sending the attached response to a Bush campaign message regarding the administrations’ efforts to create jobs.
“I am glad to see that President Bush is interested in reducing government bureaucracy to promote job creation. I would direct his attention to the items below, compiled by the Direct Marketing Association (DMA). In particular, I recommend that the President review an executive summary of the DMA study of the economic impact of direct marketing, so that he may fully appreciate its importance in job creation.
“The FTC and FCC, pursuant to legislation passed long ago by Congress, seem to be working at cross-purposes to the President. As a Harvard MBA, the President must be cognizant of the importance of free commercial speech. As a politician, the President surely cannot be aware of the fact that the recently enacted Do Not Call list may cost the country 2 million jobs in the telemarketing industry alone, not to mention the ripple effect in industries that make and ship the goods that telemarketers used to sell.
“The FCC just stayed a rule requiring written advance permission for any commercial fax advertisement, even if the faxer and faxee have an existing business relationship. However, this Kafkaesque provision will become effective 1/1/05.
“Meanwhile, Congress debates rules that may place similar handcuffs on e-marketing, the wave of the future.
“What this all amounts to is an assault on commercial freedom of speech, the last thing I would expect from a Republican administration. All economic activity begins with marketing. The logical conclusion of such ‘consumer protection’ where only government-sanctioned messages can be disseminated is economic dynamism on a par with North Korea.
“I believe strong Presidential leadership to reverse this regulatory brake on the economy can be much more effective than even tax cuts.
“Unleash the private sector’s job creation machine. Let us sell, and watch the unemployment rolls shrink. But, if the President does not engage, the rolls will climb, much to his and the nation’s detriment.”
Terry Nugent
Director of Marketing
Medical Marketing Service, Inc.
Wood Dale, IL
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