Paying for free speech

Posted on September 25, 2003 by Gene

I’m not sure I understand the argument that a national “do not call” registry violates the right to free speech of the telemarketers – mostly because it’s not free.
If a telemarketer wishes to stand on public property and voice his opinion that I should take a cruise to the Bahamas, or buy a magazine subscription, or change my long distance company, well… that’s fine. I support that, and in fact might find it amusing.
But when they make bells ring in my house, using my resources to force their messages upon me, using a telephone line which I pay for, well, how is that free speech? Wouldn’t most people make the assumption that part of free speech is the freedom to not listen to it?