Actually, the only way to defeat robo-calling is to outlaw the use to telephones by anyone other than a live person for any purpose whatever--sales, collections, political advocacy, anything at all. Make it illegal to manufacture the equipment, and make it illegal for telephone companies to allow access to such equipment or suffer still, really prohibitive fines. If we're going to live in a backward nation that allows the death penalty anyway, I personally would favor summary execution of any telephone company CEO caught allowing such devices to use "his pipes."

AMEN! How could it have ever occurred to someone not completely bought and paid for by corporations, that anyone ever has a RIGHT to call you at home? I mean anyone. Solicitors, bill collectors, salespeople, anyone. I should never be disturbed in my home except by friends and family. That's it.
I shouldn't need caller ID. I shouldn't ever have to hear my phone ring from anyone that I don't know.