Friday, December 12, 2008
Police / Firefighter Shakedown?
I just got a Christmas solicitation from a fireman (yes he was a man) and politely declined. (It was awkward because we both knew within 3 seconds that he was going to hit me up for money, but I had to sit there and listen to the song and dance for two minutes before he actually asked me and I could say no. Now I know how pretty girls in high school must feel.)
Does anyone else get nervous that when you say no, the guy on the other end checks a box that says, "Don't speed on the way to this guy's house"?
Does anyone else get nervous that when you say no, the guy on the other end checks a box that says, "Don't speed on the way to this guy's house"?
Comments:
In California, everyone knows donating to the CHP's 11-99 foundation (and affixing to one's vehicle a license plate frame that advises as much) essentially guarantees one will not be pestered for petty speeding violations by highway patrolman.
All other "citizens" who are not so wealthy or so thoughtful are fair game for revenue-generation.
All other "citizens" who are not so wealthy or so thoughtful are fair game for revenue-generation.
Bob,
The guys that actually make these calls are not actually fireman or policeman, for the most part, they are professional telephone sales people. They operate on smile and dial. They don't have time to check boxes if it doesn't have anything to do with getting to the next phone call after they know you are not going to give money.
Watch the movie Boiler Room and multiply by ten and you will get a picture of who these guys are.
Throw some police or fire lingo at them and they won't have a clue.
The guys that actually make these calls are not actually fireman or policeman, for the most part, they are professional telephone sales people. They operate on smile and dial. They don't have time to check boxes if it doesn't have anything to do with getting to the next phone call after they know you are not going to give money.
Watch the movie Boiler Room and multiply by ten and you will get a picture of who these guys are.
Throw some police or fire lingo at them and they won't have a clue.
Considering that current building technologies result in much faster fires, the chances firefighters come in time to save your belongings is very low. The best they can do is prevent other houses from catching fire. :)
Not to mention that it's easier to file for a total than a partial loss when dealing with your insurance:)
Not to mention that it's easier to file for a total than a partial loss when dealing with your insurance:)
My response to such calls is, "Oh I'm sorry, our family has already decided upon our charitable giving plans for the year" -- works year round, too.
Oh, and Taylor's remark is one more reason to support photographic speed enforcement. Another reason is that photo enforcement evens up the likelihood that females get the tickets they've earned -- women can't puff up their breasts and bat their eyelashes in still pictures.
Oh, and Taylor's remark is one more reason to support photographic speed enforcement. Another reason is that photo enforcement evens up the likelihood that females get the tickets they've earned -- women can't puff up their breasts and bat their eyelashes in still pictures.
# posted by 
: December 15, 2008 at 3:00 AM
: December 15, 2008 at 3:00 AM
The flip side of this is that it would be really nice if police and fire services were operate exculsively on voluntary subscriptions rather than as tax funded monopolies, wouldn't it?
# posted by : December 15, 2008 at 1:54 PM
: December 15, 2008 at 1:54 PM
I agree, I dislike these things very much. It is the preemptive strike version of, "Give me a little Christmas cheer, and I won't write a ticket".
I almost equally dislike office "United Way" campaigns. "We want 100% this year ...", and then I get to be the Scrooge because I only give directly to the organizations I want to support, not through middle-men.
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I almost equally dislike office "United Way" campaigns. "We want 100% this year ...", and then I get to be the Scrooge because I only give directly to the organizations I want to support, not through middle-men.
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