I have been giving this blog a lot of thought. I intended to publish over the weekend and title it "Born on the Fourth of July" with credit to both Ron Kovic and Oliver Stone but time constraits and some thoughtful procrastination got in the way so today marks my blogging debut. Sure, I have lurked for months, reading all sorts of political, entertainment and real estate blogs knowing for certain that I could write as well as many, less so than some; but, I wanted a relevant topic. I wanted something of importance to me, and to my profession. What I have settled upon has an unknown answer to me so all I can do is ask. Are there politically progressive REALTORS? Time and time again I read REALTOR posts that are slamming the "liberal" press, longing for the "good old days" and railing against "big government." Are there real estate agents, practicing our craft, succeeding in sales and management and supporting both progressive causes and candidates on the local, state and national scene?
While I was born in Tennessee, and presently live outside of Nashville, I spent most of my adult life living on the East Coast of the US in a variety of cities, including New York, Baltimore, Hartford and Richmond. These cities fell along the mostly liberal spectrum with the exception of Richmond, which seemed mired in continuing the fighting of the Civil War both in politics and culture. It was the least fun, with the exception of numerous visits to Charlottesville, of the group. What shaped my beliefs, like so many others, were my life experiences. I left the cocoon of my family, my hometown and to a large degree the belief set(s) of ideas that I had formulated in my youth. I opened up to the world and the world rushed in. I met people from all strata of life; the poor, the over-educated, the rich, the homeless, the urbane and the others on parade in the big cities of the east. I met many people who were not native born Americans but embodied the spirit and vitality of life that made them successful in all they did.
About ten years ago I left a successful career in the publishing world, cashed out most of my investments and began a career in real estate. I was a single dad, with an infant son (he was 6 months old) and a five year old son. I thought real estate would allow me to be "flexible" with my hours and provide a profitable supplemental income for me. I was 49 years old at that time. I learned quickly that flexible meant I had to be on call for parenting and work 24 hours a day and I made $14,000 gross in my first year.
Fast forward ten years and I am now stable, love my work and my boys are happy, successful in their endeavors and we are all closely knit, along with Dingo the Family Dog. Life is OK again.
So what? During this same decade I have seen and observed many, many things taking place in our country that I do not like. I worried on 9/11 that we would lose our soul in a revengeful moment and I think we did. I feared the first invasion of Afghanistan would ultimately be very painful to the country (as historical invasions by the British and Russians had been for them). I did not believe the invasion of Iraq was a just ward and that it was the first, unprovoked attack by the US of another country in our history. The smoke and mirrors of the Executive Branch aside, I wondered why the US press did not take on and report the factual issues that lead us to war until it was too late. Since that time, I have seen the US sink into a divided nation, whatever the issue. It is time for post partisan politics to take hold but I am not confident that will take place. We are at a period in our history where personal bankrupcties are at an all time high, iconic companies are falling, banks and financial institutions are scoundrels at their core, marriages are strained and breaking, politicians are consistently caught in their web of lies and deceit. What can be done? I am not at all sure, but at least a dialogue from progressives, who want to see change, who want to make things work for the many need to step up and take the mantle of leadership from those who have driven us to this point. This is the purpose of my blog, to take the progressive view, that government can and should help and that basic goodness can prevail. It's past time to take action. So my first question: Why are the great majority of REALTORS so conservative politically?
If there are any progressive REALTORS who read this, please let me know I am not alone.