What Would Make Session Of Legislature A Success?
Eight inches of snow fell in Olympia the other day, a sure sign the Legislature is back in session.
As a reader, as a voter, as a citizen, what would you like to see your lawmakers do in the coming weeks? What, in your judgment, would be the mark of a successful legislative session?
Give no quarter
Before long, Spokane motorists will be contending with a new generation of parking meters that, among other features, can operate on plastic cards as well as coins.
But a decision has to be made. The new meters can be programmed to accept or not to accept Canadian coins. At least one city official says the meters probably will accept foreign coins, even though they’re worth slightly less than their American counterparts.
Not to do so would risk offending the many Canadian visitors who come here for shopping, entertainment and recreation. Is that concern enough to offset the cumulative financial impact of an unfavorable exchange rate?
Reverse the charges
“You can get mad or you can just have fun.”
That’s Tomas Lynch’s theory about dealing with telemarketers.
People who dislike getting calls from telemarketers get frustrated and angry, said Lynch, a Bagpipes reader in Spokane, but how they react is a personal choice.
“I get a phone call,” he said. “I sell them.” He offered this scenario: “‘Hi, this is Laura from Bobco and Company and I’ve got this…’ “And I’ll say, ‘Hey, Laura, I’m so glad you called. What color shoes are you wearing right now?’ “I give them a sales pitch or I’ll tell them I’m sad and lonely and alone, and haven’t talked to anybody in three or four weeks. And I’m so glad somebody finally called, ‘even if it’s you.’ “If you talk long enough, fast enough, don’t let them get a word in edgewise, they become frustrated and angry, and they will eventually hang up.
“It only takes about a minute, 90 seconds, for them to figure it out and this way, you have a good laugh and entertain yourself instead of getting frustrated and mad.
“Do something. Take affirmative action. And also get the practice banned in this state, because it is annoying. “I’m annoyed, too, but if you have fun with it, go for it. Life’s too short to get upset like that.”
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