Help — I Am Stuck in Realtors' World Politics

I have a Wisconsin real estate broker's license, but that alone is not enough to work in real estate.

To work effectively for clients, I need the resources of he MLS (multiple listing service) that let me know what is on the market, what the asking price is, and also the history of that property's sales history, as well as comparisons of other similar properties in the area.

I don't mind paying for the MLS service, but in order to join the MLS and have access to that data, I first have to belong to the Realtors' Assocications. That means I must pay dues to the local Milwaukee area Realtors' Association (GMAR) and the Wisconsin Realtors' Association (WRA) and the National Association of Realtors' (NAR).

Arguably, the Realtors' Association exists to protect the members from competition — not too much different from a lot of professional organizations. The Realtors' Associations also do have a positive influence on educating real estate professionals, and hence providing better services for their clients.

The part I do not like about the Realtors' Associations is all their involvement in the political scene. For instance, I am now being bombarded with Realtors' supporting Alberta Darling. On their scorecard, she has been supportive of Realtors' issues over 90 percent of the time.

And that is another good reason I will vote for Sandy Pasch!

Too many of the Realtors' issues are myopically concentrated on providing more expansion of selling potential and real estate commissions, while ignoring the social and ecological consequences.

When the Walker Republican radicals pass legislation for a sweet-heart exemption of building on Wetlands for a big store development near Lambeau Field, that is not in the best public interest. Thankfully, Pro Bass Shops has more integrity than the Realtors' Associations, by saying thanks but No thanks — we do not build on Wetlands.

Realtors, in my opinion, should not be interested in developing every square inch of God's Green Earth, to create sales and commissions. They should not be involved in the siting of Wind Energy, that has basically killed that industry here in Wisconsin and leads to more pollution. They should not be involved in fighting the Department of Natural Resources on pier regulations, so that there is a proliferation of McMansion type piers extending too far out into our lakes and rivers.

Most of all, they should not be involved in the politics of Judicial Races. I was sickened with the support that the Realtor Associations gave to radical right wing Supreme Court nominees — are we to pretend that those judges are not expected to rule in favor of Realtor Agendas in repayment of all the money spent on their elections.

The only funny part of all this (black humor) are all the Realtors who I have heard from that cry out for the destruction of the teacher's union that they feel has too much political power and forces teachers to pay dues, while I am captive to the Realtors' Association, forced to pay their dues for their monopoly of the MLS and then be sujected to their destructive political agenda(s).