Bravo, people.

Very inspiring. How do we get this story into the MSM? Perhaps Senator Obama might reference it himself?

What decency and integrity these people showed.

No fair. The Republicans have to quit pulling multiple October Surprises per day! LOL

Damn right, people! My hat's off to these fine citizens! Good show!

I'm humbled. It costs me nothing to mouth off, but these people put their money where their ideals are. And it's not like they get paid so much they won't miss a day's pay.

It might be a small victory, but they're heroes.

This was rightous. If you're working in a call center, its not like you can easily afford to walk away from a day's pay.

Republicans hate us for our freedom.

Those people are patriots. Thank you, Indiana.

Just beautiful. I'm humbled.

True Patriots!

Finally taking back the country from haters! Go Indiana!

By the way my biggest problem with Palin - her anti-intellectualism, anti-science in this 21st century when China and India are making leaps and strides - I dont like Hitchens but he nailed it

"This is what the Republican Party has done to us this year: It has placed within reach of the Oval Office a woman who is a religious fanatic and a proud, boastful ignoramus. Those who despise science and learning are not anti-elitist. They are morally and intellectually slothful people who are secretly envious of the educated and the cultured. And those who prate of spiritual warfare and demons are not just "people of faith" but theocratic bullies. On Nov. 4, anyone who cares for the Constitution has a clear duty to repudiate this wickedness and stupidity".
http://slate.com/id/2203120

I am SO GRATEFUL I live in New York - and have been able to avoid the endless ads and robocalls! :)

Any way we can find out who some of these folks are? I'd like to personally send my thanks, and hey, maybe even a few bucks for giving up their pay.

Very admirable and inspiring.

HEY JOHN MCCAIN - look at these people. THAT'S what it means to have standards and be honorable. You could learn a lot from them.

Talk is cheap. Actions speak louder than words.

I have such great respect for these people, particularly because they may be living paycheck to paycheck. Also, as a loyal phonebanker for Obama at my local headquarters in NJ where we average about 2500 calls a day, I think it really says something that McCain has to hire people to make phone calls on his behalf.

Kudos to 'em.Upstanding folks they are.

If McCain were smart...I'm stepping way out on the limb here...he would see his campaign has reached a breaking point. That point where people aren't willing to perform a task even though it will cost them in lost wages if they don't. It's an indication the issue has been pushed too far and people are starting to rebel at a conscience level. This is nothing more than a leak in the dam wall now. Bu if he doesn't stop to repair the leak, the whole dam will collapse fairly quickly.

This has been an unbelievable couple of months for the GOP. It's like they can't cross the street without tripping.

The Palin trainwreck, the financial meltdown, McCain's suspended campaign, centrist Republicans defecting, circular firing squads inside the McCain campaign, GOP senator in a close race convicted . . .

How could things get any worse for them?

That's a real question, folks. Any ideas?

It would have to be pretty spectacular to beat their current run of bad luck. Maybe if one of the principals on the ticket confessed to a gay affair with an Al Qaeda operative. Anything short of that is going to be "ho-hum" at this point.

Hmm. . .these folks must be from the unAmerican/unpatriotic part of town (snark).

THIS is the change we've been waiting for.

I just had an epiphany and I'm not religious!

What if ... big IF ... workers at other businesses where the McCain has outsourced their campaign processes hear what those call center workers did all of a sudden have an attack of conscious and decide that they can't perform their assigned tasks and walk off the job?

Setting aside the courage of the call center employees, I'm surprised and pleased that Indiana doesn't allow robocalls.

Are you listening, Illinois and other states?

Glenview, IL

Latest Rasmussen Polls:

Missouri: Obama 48 McCain 47
Ohio: Obama 49 McCain 45
Florida: Obama 51 McCain 47
North Carolina: McCain 49 Obama 48
Colorado: Obama 50 McCain 46

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/2008_presidential_election/fox_rasmussen_polling/fox_rasmussen_swing_state_polling_october_26_2008

Setting aside the courage of the call center employees, I'm surprised and pleased that Indiana doesn't allow robocalls.

Are you listening, Illinois and other states?

Glenview, IL

"One Voice change a room, one room can change a city..."

Thank you all for showing your patriotism and principles with your own paychecks...your honesty and bravery is a testimony to what it is going to take to change this nation...

If this story is true, it is bad for McCain regardless of how you interpret what happened.

Bearing in mind that people who work for telemarketers are likely to be the kind of "real American" working people the Republicans are reaching out for, and are not "elitists," and that Indiana has voted Republican in the past:

1. This story might mean that large numbers of voters in Indiana are pro-Obama and are willing to risk their jobs rather than undermine his candidacy;

2. Or it might mean that the telemarketers now believe that the McCain campaign is lying and don't want to have anything to do with it;

3. Or it might mean that the telemarketers don't care whether or not what they were supposed to read was true because they think it is sleazy and irrelevant and don't want to have anything to do with it, which means that the current tactics of the McCain campaign are doomed to failure.

But regardless of how you view it, this is not good news for McCain.

This is so moving that it brings tears to my eyes, and I'm not ordinarily a sentimental sap. Telemarketing is a terribly demoralizing way to make (barely) a living: the people who do it are often compelled by threat of homelessness to keep at it. To sacrifice a day's wages from a budget that is calculated down to the last penny is truly an heroic gesture.

I only wish I had the money to reimburse them for their loss. I would consider it a good use of my donations if the Obama campaign did just that.

True American heroes, all of them!

But that call center story has me on the verge of tears. That is really something. It's still difficult to believe that things may change, and that working class American kids will grow up with hope. Good Lord, why, there could even be a resurgence of civic and national feeling of obligation among the well to do. Okay, that's the weed talking.

That's how they do it in Pro-American areas of America.

This is way more than just refusing a day's pay. Every one of those people was risking almost certain firing. I've worked in a lot of call centers, and in most "right to work" states (more like "right to get fired") if you refuse to do something, your job is over then and there.

This was an incredibly brave act, and I applaud these American heroes.

Next, let's see if FAUX News spins it as the first wave of the forthcoming Commie worker's revolution.

When calling Ameripoll, you can use the numbers "223" as a contact for which to leave a message.

This is reminiscent of the actions of computer programmers who also walked out during the 1986 snap elections that then Philippine President Marcos called to extend his presidency with Corazon Aquino in the opposition ticket. When the programmers realized that the results were being rigged, they walked out. That action was one of the early events that sparked the so-called People Power movement/revolution that eventually toppled the Marcos dictatorship and installed Cory Aquino as the president.

Lake County IN is very close to Chicago and in the Chicago media market. Most of these callers probably have been familiar with Obama for years.

It is very heartening that they would stand up like that and refuse to be used in that way even though they had to forgo pay. I thank them.

John McCain would rather put the country at risk with Palin and decimate his reputation and legacy in order to win an election. Pathetic.

I'd like to express my gratitude to these people for putting morality above a day's pay. Often these are people who can least afford to lose the money.

Hey, instead of just burying your praise for these workers inside a comment box, why not consider writing to the mayor of Hobart, Indiana instead? These people need to know that we notice their courage. Here's the mayor's email address: mayorsnedecor@city.hobart.in.us. And here's what I sent him just now:
-----
Hi -- I would like to commend the courage and patriotism of several of your citizens, the three dozen employees of Americall who, when asked to telemarket and read a script of blatant and out-of-bounds lies to recipients, refused, and left their jobs, without pay, as a matter of principle.

I am an undecided voter who is paying attention, and who is disgusted by the mischaracterizations rampant in these elections. No candidate or public servant, of either party, can honestly be said to wish children harm or to desire that they go without protections. It's an abuse of the public's goodwill to promulgate such lies.

It's questionable whether Americall should have accepted the contract after evaluating the script, which sounded egregious. But I understand business is business, and economic times are rough. All the more reason to commend your citizens for their notable actions and their sacrifice of pay.

I hope you will recognize them and pass this message along. Hobart, Indiana was noteworthy today because the patriotic values and hearts of these citizens could not be compromised. They stood up and sacrificed their own well-being for honesty and that is commendable.

So does this mean that McCain is hiring tele-marketers to make calls for him because he cannot get volunteers to do it?

I just got a call from the Honolulu Barack Obama office asking me to come in for a couple hours after work and make some phone calls.

After reading this I decided that I will leave work early to go make those calls.

Good Evening:

I am the CEO of AmeriCall International, Inc. based in Tacoma, Washington. Please be advised that we are in no way affiliated with the company referenced in your article, Americall Group, Inc., that conducted the political calling. Their web address is www.teleperformance.com/americall/ and their telephone number is 630.955.9100.

Thank you,

-Scott Hager

Nova Voter-
I got the same call earlier tonight. It would be amusing except for the obvious discriminatory undertones. I Also commend all the folks who put their working lives on the line and said "no more". We definately need to make sure BOTH campaigns know about this! (How many Americans does it take to get the Republicans to STOP using fear and smear?!)

Good evening,

Has anyone actually read the actual script? I am not sure what all the complaints have been with this election of the negative campaigning. I believe that campaigns should have an element of negativity in them. Something to contrast the difference between the candidates. As a voter who sees very little difference between the two candidates (trillions of dollars in bailouts and handouts to many of the same areas), I welcome something to make it worth voting this year.

A person can honestly interpret some of Obama's state legislature votes on crime issues as being weak. Especially in the areas of crimes against children. I can not find a record for McCain voting on similar issues as most of them are state issues. So it comes down to is the script accurate?

If the script is accurate or an understandable interpretation of votes, then the workers in this case were not being asked to do anything unethical and should lose pay or be disciplined in an appropriate manner. I think we tread a dangerous path when we get up in arms over the criticism of our politicians. Just as people had the right to criticize Bush, McCain's campaign have the right to point out their disagreements with Obama. This does not make them unethical or racist (as I have seen posted in places).

I feel that we lose in this election no matter who wins. I do not want lose our will to look critically at the candidates no matter who they are. I hope that America will take this election as a wake up call to the lack of political diversity between the parties.

These folks definetly deserve the Medal of Freedom,
and I'd like to point out to Adin, obviously You CAN'T buy ALL of the People some of the time, or these people in these tough times would've just shrugged it off and collected their pay...That's why They're True Americans, unlike Palin(Secessionist) or McCain (Manchurian Candidate)

Really? You want Obama. Here is a thought. He raises taxes on business who then in turn raise prices to compensate, maybe even cut jobs? This will help the economy?
For those of you who think the Democrats are innocent, you are wrong. I have been called by them every night for weeks. I have listened to negative ads left on my answering machine as well. Finally I called and asked their party to take me off of their list. I am still receiving such calls. I know first hand they are doing the same thing.
If you can't handle the truth then maybe it was good for you to walk off.
Don't worry,if your "speaker," not a proven leader, socializes our country, you can just take my money and live off that. Is that fair?
I work for a living, so should everyone else. Take responsibility for yourselves.
Are you the same people that flew flags after 9/11? Are you still doing so? If not, you are just a follower and I feel sorry for you.

Exactly AM. And who is in control of Congress? The Democrats!!!! You want to blame the President? Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

They probably are not too worried about losing pay, if Obama ends up president,
"WELFARE FOR EVERYONE"

Ill tell you, as a resident of an adjoining town to Hobart (Portage) I am so proud of these folks- Rather than to violate their conscience they put their jobs on the line. These are true American heroes.
We have been waiting for this to happen. Workers who rather than cooperate with the Republican Slime Machine took their destiny into their hands and made a stand. And it is not over by a long shot.
Got that Red State turn in Blue Blue!

Seems to Me the GOP had a Majority for the 1st 6 years of Shrubs' Tenure...

"Some people have pre-defined limits of civility they will not step over no matter what the reason."

I thank the writer for that comment.

But I want to add to it:

But there are people that will step over that line. The people running the McCain campaign, and don't tell me that Sen. John doesn't know what is going on.

Shame Shame Shame, if those people have any left. If McCain was who he reputes to be, he would immediately announce that he will not be part of a party that does these deeds, and drop his bid for President.

That would be real patriotism, Senator McCain.

Fired!

This part of our history is pretty interesting, but we are true to form Americans. When I look at us I am so happy that God is a forgiving God. Some of us have a long way to go to understand the very principles that Jesus proferred.

Having said that, I am glad we are in America because in many other countries if you expressed your opinion the way those 40 workers did, you would be shot. Remember Tienamen Square? I love America with all of its greatness and faults.

Welcome to America and the Democratic process.

Yes We Can!

There is a big difference between the candidates. McCain is a believer in the trickle down theory; give the rich and corporations the tax cuts and they will trickle these profits down to the people. But it doesn't work. The corporations give themselves higher salaries and bigger bonuses and little trickles down to us. Obama believes in building upwards. Give the middle class more tax cuts amd this will create more spending which will increase the need for higher production and profit. Right now the only ones getting a tax cut right now are the rich and the corporations thanks to George Bush, and McCane wants to make these tax cuts permanent. This is why we need a change otherwise it's 4 more years like the last 8 years with Bush.

As a small business owner, I am for Obama. I don't think McCain has any clue about small business owners. That comment he made about Joe the Plumber being rich under Obama's plan cinched it for me. If you're making over $250,000 then yes, you're no longer part of the middle class. Perhaps my business is too small for McCain. I only net $40,000.

Bless these workers! It hard to tell your hungry child that you walked away from money to feed him/her in order to stand up for your principles. Bless the ones who stayed even though it hurt. We feel for you, too.

Funny how Obama will do all this redistibution of wealth when in office yet, his wife makes 500k and she doesn't even give 10% to charity. Which is a tithe in Christianity, as a churchgoer for 20 yrs at Rev. Wrights I would think she and her husband would at least have given 10% of their rich lifestyle for the needy and those oppressed by the RNC. Just another common sense question that should have already been brought up by the media. If you want other people to do it how about leading a change instead of trying to legislate a change.

BTW UnitedWeStand,

What country did Bush turn against us and why should we care? I would wager that if you opened the US borders, with Bush as president, a flood of people from each country in the world would come in and be grateful and excited for the opportunity to be in America. I believe those that hate America are the leaders of countries that envy the U.S. and not the citizens. Of course, you do have a large muslim group that is opposed to us b/c we have not converted to their faith but thankfully although the majority of terrorist attacks and genocide in the past 25 yrs have been a result of "muslim faith", the news assures me it is a peaceful religion.