The REALTOR® Party: An energized movement of real estate professionals fighting to keep the dream of homeownership alive for this country.
Now more than ever, it is critical for REALTORS® across America to come together and speak with one voice about the stability a sound and dynamic real estate market brings to this country of ours. From city hall to the state house to the U.S. Capitol, our elected officials are making decisions that have a huge impact on the bottom line of REALTORS® and their customers. Through the support of people like you, the REALTOR® Party will continue to be there representing your interests.
Quite frankly, politics is business when you consider the types of changes that are now being contemplated by mayors, governors and Members of Congress across the country:
* What would happen to the real estate market in your community if the mortgage deduction was eliminated from the tax code?
* What would happen if your customers were unable to afford the property insurance they needed to qualify for a mortgage?
* How would the overhaul of health care impact the insurance coverage of the hundreds of the thousands of self-employed REALTORS® across the country?
Partisan politics must be a thing of the past. Our allies in local, state and federal government span the political spectrum — and we need to work with each one of them to make sure they continue to support the interests of the real estate profession. In fact, the REALTOR® party has been a leader in building the bipartisan relationships necessary on both sides of the aisle in jurisdictions in every state. We need to build on that success and your involvement now can help make that happen.
The time is now to come together and fight for the interests of homeowners and the real estate profession. Join the REALTOR® Party today.
I support the REALTOR Party goals and values and join with other REALTORS around the country working together in the best interest of our industry and our customers. I will:
* Vote for candidates at the local, state, and national levels who support the REALTOR Party and make the right decisions for my profession and my customers.
* Act when called upon to support the REALTOR Party at the local, state, and national level. I recognize the importance of REALTORS speaking with one voice, therefore I will participate in Calls for Action, and if a broker, I will join the Broker Involvement Program.
* Give to the REALTOR Political Action Committee (RPAC), and help RPAC build the bipartisan relationships necessary at all levels of government to ensure a sound and dynamic real estate market.
Signed:
ShirLee McGarry
WHY POLITICAL INVOLVEMENT?
Since 1969 RPAC has been promoting the election of pro-REALTOR® candidates across the United States. During the last federal election cycle alone, RPAC contributed over $12 million to pro-REALTOR® candidates to Congress, making it the number one trade association political action committee in the nation.
Why has RPAC been successful? In America the exercise of good government has its foundation in the participation of its citizens in politics. By definition of the work you do, REALTORS® are contributors to the American dream- home ownership. REALTORS® make it possible for people to bring value to their communities, their lives, to schools and to the future. Increasingly REALTORS® are facing forces from many directions that threaten their ability to help bring about the American dream for more people. Increasing health care premiums, the economy, property tax burdens, rent controls, impact fees and the taking of private property for the public domain are only a quick handful of issues that somewhere, everyday REALTORS® confront.
IF NOT YOU, WHO?That is why it is vitally important that REALTORS® be politically active: to take on the responsibility of protecting the values and rights we hold dear. If not REALTORS®, then who? No one knows a community better than a REALTOR®. It would be difficult to believe that a local no-growth group would represent your real estate business interests, or that those employed by the local government know best how much and where to spend the tax dollar better than you do. REALTORS® are the experts on their communities. REALTORS® know the lay of the land, the families, the best schools, the neighborhoods, and the leaders. With REALTORS® in virtually every community in the nation, you are in a strong position to be on the front line as either a proponent or a defender.
Failure to be involved politically can and likely will result in someone else filling the vacuum left by you. That may sound okay at first; because we are sure someone else will do the job and see things as we do. That is until one discovers that the voices being heard may be contrary to wise business planning and a threat to property owners and their rights. If you as a REALTOR® do not speak out, get involved, and help shape your community, someone else will. It is a good bet that they won't be supportive of your position.
On the national level, we give our money to those in Congress who both understand and support REALTOR® issues. We look to build the future by putting RPAC dollars in places that will help advance the interests of Real Estate professionals. RPAC is the only political group in the country organized for REALTORS®, run by REALTORS® and exists solely to further issues important to REALTORS®.
