09.23.08
TAR needs to be tarred and feathered
The Texas Association of Realtors announced their endorsements for the November election today. There are no Earth-shattering revelations in these endorsements. TAR supports every incumbent, regardless of party.
As far as open seats go, they did not endorse in the SD-17 race (Which includes Democrat Chris Bell). And they didn’t endorse in the open state House race in HD-17 [Tim Klieinschmidt (R) and Donnie Dippel (D)]. In every contested race they endorsed the pro-Craddick Republican, except for Rick Noriega’s former district (HD-145) where they know the Democrat is sure to win.
These endorsements speak volumes about the pro-status-quo real estate marketing industry. TAR represents the same folks who for years have profited from the worst excesses of the mortgage lending industry. Think about it. Those who have purchased a home in Texas during the past decade can tell you exactly how closely the “Buyer’s Representative” is usually working in the best interests of the mortgage lender, since they only get a commission on deals that close. The size of their commission, being directly proportional to the sales price, motivates them to drive home buyers into mortgages they cannot afford. The buyer’s representatives who fund the TAR’s Political Action Committee are the friendly faces that lead wage earners into house-poor prison.
TAR’s thirst for more of the same includes bringing Tom Craddick back as Speaker of the Texas House. It should shock no one that they endorsed the GOP candidates in Williamson County. Only candidates like Brian Ruiz and Diana Maldonado can bring the kind of change in leadership we need. It’s also time for home buyers to refuse to accept representation from this group.
remerson said,
September 23, 2008 at 8:32 pm
The problem is—unh, one problem is that TAR is currently controlled (and previously, as well) by the pro-Craddick wing of the Republican Party. As a matter of convenience, the TAR leadership ally themselves with whoever floats their boat. And they return the favor. Hand in glove. Tight as a tube sock, in the words of Dan Rather. (Heard that on TV tonight.)
TAR justifies its existence by professing that “realtors” (i.e., members of TAR) are superior to simple real estate agents because “realtors” subscribe to a rigid code of ethics that requires them to place the interests of their client above their own interests. (Sometimes, it even works out that way.) That “justifies” the “realtors” commission. So, it is ethics, ethics, ethics, that is TAR’s reason to live.
Did I mention that TAR, just this month, had as its keynote speaker at the TAR Annual Convention in San Antonio, Texas—none other than that devotee’ to ethics……
……………………………Karl Rove.
Hard to tell whether to laugh or cry sometimes.
Texas Progressive Alliance Weekly Round Up Sept. 29, 2008 « TruthHugger said,
September 29, 2008 at 7:06 am
[...] Dembones at posts on the Texas Association of Realtors (TAR) and their status quo endorsements for the November election, TAR needs to be tarred and feathered [...]
Texas Progressive Alliance Weekly Round Up Sept. 29, 2008 | BlueBloggin said,
September 29, 2008 at 7:40 am
[...] Dembones at posts on the Texas Association of Realtors (TAR) and their status quo endorsements for the November election, TAR needs to be tarred and feathered [...]
Eye on Williamson » Texas Blog Round Up (September 29, 2008) said,
September 29, 2008 at 8:38 am
[...] Dembones at Eye On Williamson posts on the Texas Association of Realtors (TAR) and their status quo endorsements for the November election, TAR needs to be tarred and feathered. [...]
Texas Progressve Alliance Round Up & Pictures Of Venus « Texas Liberal said,
October 3, 2008 at 1:54 pm
[...] Dembones at Eye On Williamson posts on the Texas Association of Realtors (TAR) and their status quo endorsements for the November election, TAR needs to be tarred and feathered. [...]