Ending my Political Nightmare

By: Dan Roberts - Publisher

" Another damn %$&*# political phone call."

It's election season again and you can fully expect to be inundated with political mail and telephone calls - and, of course, it's all for our benefit. For those that enjoy receiving such communications, there is no need to read the rest of this column.

But for those, like me, who absolutely hate having a mailbox filled with those attack flyers, and daily telephone calls (starting with those pre-recorded "ro-bo" calls) consider this article the most important public service announcement of the season.
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Let me first say that I believe I am an informed voter. I vote every year (regardless of the contested public office) and very strongly contend that if you do not vote, you have no voice, no say, about how things are run.

And while I am far from the smartest person in any room, I can set forth my reasons (if I want you to know what they are) as to who, and why I support or disagree with any candidate or partisan position.

Now as a former New York lobbyist, my understanding and reasons for voting the way I do may be quite different than yours, and that's okay. One example: I have lived with Rana for nearly two years and while my Ladylove has no hesitation in espousing her political views and opinions, she still has no idea as to my political beliefs as we hold hands when we vote together.

Blame my attorney training and experience, but I learned to speak out of both sides of my mouth - and I can do so at the same time. It drives her crazy, but while I promised to never lie to her, that does not mean I always tell her the truth.

That being said, let me reiterate and be very clear about one thing - I do not want any campaign and election stuff in my mailbox. And I definitely, positively and unconditionally do not want those telephone calls, especially in the evening - and especially during Monday (and now Thursday) Night Football.

While I fully understand and can even articulate the "need" for the potential office-seekers to embark on this political BS, it still outrages me that such calls are exempt from the current "Do-Not-Call" laws. Either way, I still do not want them.

I have mentioned this before and it bears repeating. I am still looking for just one voter, one person, who not only welcomes such telephone calls, but actually listens to the entire ro-bo call. Just one.

If you feel the same way and want to do something about it; want to take back some "control", here's your opportunity.

Did you know that there is a simple, easy (and legal) way to avoid all this? All you need to do is fill out a very short request with the Clark County Election Department.

A copy of this form is on our Vegas Voice home page website (www.thevegasvoice.net). You just have to print, fill out and mail. It's located on the home page, scroll to the bottom, and look on the left side in the "view our pages" column.

Unfortunately, the Election Department will not take telephone calls or emails (guess they need an original signature in case the candidates complain) but for the price of a stamp and 15 seconds of your time, you too can make a statement - regardless of your political philosophy.

Keep in mind that for couples, each one must fill out an original request form, but you can place both in the same envelope.

The sooner you send the completed form in, the sooner they leave you alone. That should scare them... and last, but certainly not least, to make these guys really sweat, make sure you vote.