| Newton MA News and Politics BlogYesterday, I noticed something disturbing. Two young men spent a lot of time with our neighbor with whom we share a driveway, and despite the tasteful “No Solicitation Please” sign prominently above our door bell, they rang it anyway. Since we had advance warning, our teenaged son answered the door.

“Hello?”
“Are your parents at home?”
“No.”

Then without pause, they continued their attempt to sell him Solar.

After they left, I went outside to wash our cars, and could not help but to witness the swath of aggressive, bordering on harassing carnage, these young gentlemen left behind.

In a world where Amazon, FedEx and UPS trucks are more prevalent than police cars; where blogs
and social media groups is THE marketplace for those seeking and providing referrals for services; where the Internet allows us to find even the most niche product or service, there is no practical need for door-to-door sales and the invasion of privacy that comes with it.

Newton has a ordinance against leaf blowers, and they are ASKED to come. Perhaps it’s time we have one that takes the anxiety out of a ringing doorbell?