I have an idea - (slapping forehead) - could this work??

[Bullwinkle925]

I have switched my telephone service to Vonage. I have unlimited coast-to-coast calling for $24.99/mo.
Can this be used in any way by any candidates nationwide to help them with their campaign calling? ie - people like us calling on behalf for candidates anywhere in this country?

[blue cat]

1. Yes indeed

I used my free minutes to do calls from home via moveon's site for the 2004 election. It was easy. You sign in, then the give you the numbers to call with exactly what to say. So you get hung up some, I can take it. You can also be a 5 minute activist i.e. when you call the media, about issues, etc.

[Southern Marylander]

2. It might work for a little while

But when companies set a price for an all inclusive product, in this case, unlimited long distance, They do so by using an average of calls made long distance by people already.

Now, if thousands of people were to get this unlimited calling product, and begin making their 20 or 30 calls every night, it would be short time before the price of that service would rise to reflect the actual number of calls being made.

Third party companies such as the one you are now dealing with still have to pay for line usage.
since their cost is going to go way up with your plan, one of two things will happen.
the plan will no longer be offered.
the price will go up to a point that it is not attractive.

[Bullwinkle925]

4. Probably so - but if it would help - esp around the November

elections to counteract the Republican $$ it would be well worth it.

[northzax]

8. not true, actually

Vonage is an internet phone service, it doesn't use phone lines (unless you have DSL) on the senders end, and the receiver pays for the static line on their end.

Vonage only needs more servers and the like, not static line fees.

the problem would be that this would be a campaign contribution, and all the headaches that would ensue with that (yes, you are volunteering, but you are paying for a good or service, in this case the phone line, being used by a campaign)

[Vincardog]

9. The phone companies build for peak demand that is Day time and Business

Home Phone off peak is just gravy to them.

[Bjornsdotter]

3. Don't slap your forehead

....pat yourself on the back. It sounds like a wonderful idea to me. I'll be switching in the near future also, so I would be willing to do the same.

Cheers

[KyuzoGator]

5. I am the world's biggest advocate of VOIP and Vonage.

I tell everyone I know with a broadband connection that Vonage is incredible. This is a great idea, and I plan to use my unlimited long distance to help Bill Nelson defeat Katherine Harris here in Florida.

[rocktivity]

6. Well, who says it HAS to be long distance?

If we call called locally/regionally, it would still work, and it wouldn't drive up prices.

:think:
rocknation

[Skidmore]

7. I thought of doing this once, but we're on small rural copp system.

I don't know if it wouldn't mean a dialup cost too. However, I'm more inclined to help our little coop stay in business. It turns a profit that comes back as a dividend everyonce in a while. The rates aren't bad. I'm not sure we make enought LD calls to justify a change.

[Deb]

10. I am so kicking this

We didn't have unlimited coast to coast during the '04 election, very frustrating because I enjoy cold GOTV calling plus I had time during the day to do it. Our local phone company recently offered unlimited and we jumped at it! Woo Hoo!

I hope candidates know we are out here ready to help.