Campaign tactic a harassment

The United States Presidential Candidates alone have spent over $8 million in Ohio last month on advertising.

It has been daunting to be barraged by radio ads, countless TV commercials and Internet promotions before a primary.

One method of promoting campaigns, however, has reached a new high on the irritation meter.

Automatic phone dialers and recorded messages have invaded homes all across the state - no matter what party you are registered with. When the Presidential candidates began using this tactic several elections ago it was novel. It then became a nuisance.

Now that every national, state and county candidate is using the same phone dialer device to promote their campaign, it has become a harassment.

Local residents have literally been receiving call after call within minutes throughout the day on home phones. Answering machines are being filled with lengthy messages about voting for candidates.

Third shift workers are often being disturbed from the constant daytime ringing. We can only guess that it has affected work productivity levels the final weeks before an election.

Political parties should rethink this strategy. TV advertising is tiring enough, but home invasion by phone could put people away from party involvement and the polls.