Comments:

Apparently no one involved with CAN SPAM understands the problem! Spam is bulk mailings to people who did not volunteer their e-mail addresses. As simple as that, and it should be illegal. Opt-out is an idiotic proposal. I've received over 5000 spam messages since January 1, 2004. Fortunately, most were filtered, otherwise I would not have an e-mail account since I don't have enough hours in the day to download, let alone answer, these messages (especially since most of the return addresses are forged, according to my logs). More than 90% of the regular e-mail that comes to my account is spam. Since January 1, I get more than ever. My parents and in-laws, who aren't as computer literate and are unable to set up the sophisticated filters I use, are close to giving up on e-mail because of the growing number of junk messages they are receiving. Perhaps the FTC can set up an e-mail address where people can forward their spam. Software can be used to process the incoming messages to develop statistics about where the spam messages are coming from. This would help to determine the best way to block these messages, and perhaps to identify the perpetrators. CAN SPAM is an absolute failure. How about an effort that is not directed by the telemarketers (who should never have a right to cold-call or spam people at home) and will actually deter these mass mailings. Perhaps it can be a CAN'T SPAM policy. By the way - it's clear that Congress recogonizes the problem and ignores it at the same time. When my wife tried to e-mail her representatives, she found that they no longer use e-mail! Yes, the members of Congress now all use Web forms so that their staffs no longer have to deal with spam. That's rather convenient for them but not for the rest of us. How about laws that help the people? Thanks.