If you follow this blog, you know I am not a cheerleader for the National Association of Realtors, which bills itself as a trade organization, not a professional organization. I generally try to avoid the use of the copyrighted term Realtor® when I am asked what I do. My past issues with the NAR – the “now’s a great time to buy” ads, while the housing market was in the midst of the biggest crash in history; NAR’s rabid support of the ineffective homebuyer tax credit; NAR’s overly sunny economic reports on the state of the real estate market , and myriad others – all pale when compared to the latest initiative, the REALTOR PARTY. Yes, the NAR expects its roughly one million members to carry the banner of the Realtor Party and help the association to push its political agenda – an agenda which might not always have the best interests of the consumer or the American tax payer at heart.
How will this new political machine be funded? By raising member dues by 50%, of course. Read more about the Realtor Party Political Survival Initiative here. Members who have been continuously solicited to contribute to the Realtor Political Action Committee (RPAC) will now have a mandatory contribution added to their dues. Most NAR members will accept the hike without question or analysis. After all, you have to be a member of NAR, the state Realtor association, and the local association to have access to the MLS (multiple listing service), the cornerstone of doing residential real estate business. I wonder how those passive members will respond when their valued clients inquire about the Realtor party, and why it supports candidates that the client particularly dislikes. You can’t please everyone. NAR, like other lobby groups, plays both sides of the aisle; after all, if your candidate doesn’t win, she can’t do you much good can she?
But not all members are passive. Real estate blog, Agent Genius reported that last week a group of members of the Wisconsin Realtors Association threatened a boycott of the association, and are beginning to form a political action committee (PAC) of their own to counter WRA’s support of Governor Walker in the last election, as well as WRA’s support of Wisconsin State Supreme Court Justice David Prosser in March. That is just the beginning of the backlash against Realtor politics we will see from association members, others involved in the industry, and especially consumers, as our country seems to become more and more politically polarized. Gee, what a great time to start a “political survival initiative.”
“When all you have are fangs, everything looks like an artery”
In what could become the viral headline of 2011, my friend Teri Lussier posted When all you have are fangs, everything looks like an artery on the Bloodhound Blog. Teri is always insightful and incisive, getting to the essence of the issue, here discussing NAR’s “townhall meeting” on the Realtor Party Political Survival Initiative, pointing out the association’s regard for its members as a new, guaranteed source of funds.
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Joe, a nicely written addition to Teri’s eloquent and biting article. In just a few paragraphs you remind us all how inept NAR has been, and then, how inept, wrong and ill conceived their future actions are apt to be.
Keep drumming. Although apathy on the part of the NAR’s serfs may result in the chains being tightened, those of us with a desire to freely organize and work with our own set of ideals and principles will carry on. Thanks.
Thanks Don. I told Teri she inspired me to say something about this issue. Basically, I don’t want to have to answer to my valued clients about the political activities of the trade organization. It would be nice if the trade organization would pursue activities that enhanced the public perception of its members beyond the realm of used car salespersons.
Joe, a nicely written addition to Teri’s eloquent and biting article. In just a few paragraphs you remind us all how inept NAR has been, and then, how inept, wrong and ill conceived their future actions are apt to be.
Keep drumming. Although apathy on the part of the NAR’s serfs may result in the chains being tightened, those of us with a desire to freely organize and work with our own set of ideals and principles will carry on. Thanks.
Thanks Don. I told Teri she inspired me to say something about this issue. Basically, I don’t want to have to answer to my valued clients about the political activities of the trade organization. It would be nice if the trade organization would pursue activities that enhanced the public perception of its members beyond the realm of used car salespersons.