nuisance phone calls

No doubt I am not the only one who's life is interupted by answering the phone to find instead of a friend or a family member, I get some pushy salesman wanting to make a nuisance offer I would not accept under any circumstances.

I can't help think that it is my phone and I pay the line rental. I am paying so these people can make nuisance calls to me.

One of my friends leaves his message service on and only answers those he recognises, but calling him is difficult to say the least.

My suggestion is for us to have a programable phone which we program ourselves to let through only those calls we choose to receive. All other calls are rejected.

Is such a phone available? It would sure stop these nuisnace calls and infact, any calls we do not want.

It would give me control over who uses the system I provide and I pay for.

Any thoughts, Guys.