Here’s a sure-fire way to stop robocalls: Charge them for wasting our valuable time

I share Stephanie Finucane’s opinion (“Hey robocallers, my car warranty has not expired. Leave me the heck alone,” Tribune, Oct. 28) about those electronic pests that intrude on our time with unwanted and unwelcomed offers to sell us stuff we do not want.

Robocalls. I hate ‘em.

Unwanted human solicitations — those too. And, more recently, text ads.

I’ve called my phone provider and begged them to do something to limit these intrusions, but despite their claimed earnest efforts, I still receive a handful of these electronic annoyances each week. And of course, various politicians have promised “to do something” but have they? No, they have not.

Broadly, Ms. Finucane places her hopes for a resolution on increased regulation by government.

As a conservative, my solution starts from the other end — empower individuals.

So how to stop these pests? Charge them.

More precisely, I want to deal with a phone company that gives me the right to charge anyone who calls me, anything I want.

Here’s how it would work:

First, I’ll make up a list of phone numbers that I give to my phone provider. If you are on my approved list, you can call or text me for free any time you want. No restrictions. No cost. Seamless.

As for anyone not on that list who calls my number, my phone will not ring, I won’t be annoyed by the call, but the caller will hear a recording something like this-

”Hi. You’ve reached Gordon’s phone and if you’re hearing this message, you’re not on my approved list. If you want me to answer your call or even if you want to leave me a message, you’ll have to pay 5 cents to my phone company. Agree to do so and then my phone will ring, we’ll have a chat and, if I later decide to put you on my approved list, you’ll never be bothered by this message again. If you concur, hit the numbers 525 and follow the prompts. Thanks, we’ll talk soon; or not. Whichever you choose.”

Think about this.

Currently you can block a number, any number, but as we all know, these robo-pests just move on to a different one. However, if they encounter this block before my phone even rings, do you think they’ll pay the 5 cents? I suspect they will not. And if a nickel ain’t enough, up your price. How about a buck; or ten? You decide.

All texts would be blocked unless they originate from my approved list.

Your phone company will set up a web link where you can upload the phone numbers of your buddies, your doctors, your bookies or your rabbi so they won’t have to go through this hassle. They’ll be put through. You can add or delete your list at will. Or have no list at all. Stay as you are.

Your phone company gets to keep the charge. That’s their incentive. That, and the enticement of gathering the flood of subscribers moving to the phone companies which offer this service. Free enterprise at work.

And yes, it may be a pain in the keister for a while but eventually you’ll have all your friends and your banker and your brother on the list and you’ll not be bothered by robocalls again.

Don’t you lust for just such a deal? Wouldn’t you like to take control of your phone again? No more solicitations. No more robocalls. No unwanted text messages at midnight. I do, and I know a few others who would jump to sign up for such a stress relieving opportunity.

So, Digital West, Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, et al. Who’s going to be first?

Gordon Mullin is a SLO High grad and has a degree in economics from the University of British Columbia. Among the 40 or so jobs he’s held in his life — including banker, carpenter, investment planner — he says taxi driver best fits his character.