Introduction to New Contributor
Please welcome AgentGenius.com’s newest contributor, Greg Cooper, Realtor and former broadcaster from Indianapolis, Indiana. As you see in the above video, Greg is kicking off the Sunday political column at AG and he comes to us willing to wear his politics on his sleeve and he asks others to do the same.
The Challenge
As you saw in the video above, we want to know in the comments what political topics are on your mind, what you want to debate or even what you think is going uncovered. It doesn’t have to be real estate related, as most topics in the political realm potentially impact businesses and individuals alike.
Tune in every Sunday morning for some hearty debate from various vloggers, starting with the very very brave Greg Cooper!
Lani Rosales
September 27, 2009 at 1:27 pm
I’d love to debate the merits of a few things:
1. the $8,000 housing credit
2. Michael Moore’s attack on capitalism
3. health care (tort reform, public option, state line issues, etc)
4. eco-friendly bills
5. bailouts
6. Barney Frank’s CFPA bill
7. emerging parties (Independent, Tea Party, etc), political divides
8. politicians on twitter- good or bad?
I could go on and on, we’re very excited to dive into politics. The perception is often that we should leave the politics to politicians, but the first step in supporting change is to be informed, so I’m excited to see you kick this off!!!
Jim Duncan
September 27, 2009 at 1:38 pm
Awesome.
And that’s a great point about the perception – if we choose to leave politics to the politicians, we all lose (except for the politicians and lobbyists).
By choosing not to get involved, we the citizens are abdicating our rights and responsibilities.
Rocky V
September 27, 2009 at 2:05 pm
Politics and real estate will make strange bedfellows.
“Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.”
Proverbs 4:27
Matthew Rathbun
September 27, 2009 at 4:18 pm
Rocky,
I respectfully disagree on both the application of Proverbs and the need to separate Real Estate and Politics.
There is a close relationship in the policies of the government and the effect on Real Estate. The real estate market has led to some horrible federal policies… We can do better.
The theology of the Proverbs reference is staying on a narrow steady path. I’d be more apt to apply Romans 13:1 and if that’s the case, then I am to obey the government; so why not work toward putting a government in place that is worth serving and leading?
Regardless…
I’d like to discuss the following:
1. The effects of PACs and specifically RPAC
2. What happens when the only true separation of parties is where the money comes from.
3. Why does “social change” have to be at the expensive of small business?
4. Why do we pursue policies like Cap and Trade and Socialized Healthcare, when they are failing elsewhere.
Other than that, I really like Lani’s list.
Greg Cooper
September 27, 2009 at 4:52 pm
These are all great thoughts…..just jazzes me up more to get to them. I’m intrigued to see the response to the Cap and Trade video on several levels.
Joe Sheehan
September 27, 2009 at 5:57 pm
Discussing policy and discussing politics are not the same thing. Even politicians rarely discuss policy.
I am all for a discussion of policy and will contribute if I think I have something to say. I will most likely skip over any “discussion” of politics as those “discussions” usually just piss me off.
Linsey
September 28, 2009 at 12:16 am
Welcome to AG Greg. This is a daring and intriguing role to take on. I’m looked forward to following your posts.
stephanie crawford
September 28, 2009 at 7:53 pm
Is all this talk about increasing the tax credit to 15k keeping would-be buyers on the side lines? Shouldn’t we shelve the topic until after Nov. 30th?
Terry McDonald
September 30, 2009 at 11:54 am
You are brave ones! But a place for civil conversation is essential. Here is a handful:
1. RPAC and the symbiotic relationship it has with HBA, is it time to cut the chords? Would it be a bad thing for US real estate to have new home building go back to 1975 levels for a few years until demand requires new homes again? (sorry hba friends have to ask)
2. Is there a direct line connecting the housing bubble and the efforts by Realtors, HBA, Legislators, and Presidents to make everyone a homeowner? In other words, are we in some way a victim of our own success, or excess?
3. What can be done to create jobs in the US? It is well known that for every 2 jobs created, demand for one house is created– no artificial sweetener required (like tax credits)
4. What’s with the happy talk? Is there any REAL recovery with unemployment still rising? Will real estate recover with unemployment still rising?
to me it’s all about the jobs… if we want real estate to recover, we need to be creating good paying jobs and stop raiding the treasury to keep us Realtors afloat…. yes 8k is great, but 15K? Hell why not buy them the house?