I rarely write about politics. Mostly because I don't care about politics. I'm clueless about politics. I've never attended a City Council meeting and I have no idea who my state representatives are. Put me in front of the TV during a political debate and I'll be asleep in minutes.
I'm just not into organized politics.
I do, however, have a political ideology. I'm right of center; some might say way right of center. I don't think I'm a "right-wing nut-job" as I was referred to elsewhere on AR (is it really nice to name-call in a public forum?), but I've yet to find a liberal bone in my body. It's not a decision I made one day; it's just who I am. And probably who I shall always be.
But because I've never written about politics, I didn't realize how touchy a topic it can be. Oh, sure, I've always HEARD that you should never discuss religion or politics in public, but call me naive; I guess I thought I was above that sort of thing. Believe me, I'm usually up for a good debate, but the venom that came my way a few weeks ago from my blogs ‘bout BP left me shaken.
I expected some disagreement and debate over the issue at hand. And I got that, to be sure. But I also got slammed by those on the other side of the political aisle for being a supporter of Big Business (yes, I am; small business, too); for being a capitalist (no argument there) and for being suspicious of the current administration (um, yeah).
More than one person wrote to me saying that they were not interested in taking real estate advice from someone so clearly on the "wrong" side of the aisle; even that they regretted listening to my advice in the past. Not in those words, exactly, but that was the spirit of the messages.
I spent a sleepless night pondering this. First, was it a mistake to be as transparent as I was on my public blog? (I don't think so; click here for my thoughts on the matter). Second, is it appropriate to choose your mentors based on their social/political ideology?
I'm thinking that maybe, yes, perhaps it is appropriate. But before I ramble on more... what do YOU think?
NAR must have been doing something right when they designed our logo. What do you think the Realtor "R" symbol really stands for? :) I'll keep following you, and I'm an Independent!
LOL! Actually, I wouldn't call myself a Republican - I'm just not political enough to have an affiliation - but the title of the blog just screamed to be named as such.
I'm practically a pinko commie I'm so far left (more so on social issues than fiscal ones). I can take advice from a republican but I can't take advice from a lot of the republicans on AR - present company not in that category.
I was talking with a group of friends recently and we all agreed that we'd have an easier time being married to or friends with someone who didn't share our religious views than being close to someone who didn't share our political views...
Jennifer,
Interesting topic. It is amazing how some topics really bring out the hate in people. It's a strong, ugly word but it fits. I believe I could take advice from either side but I would think through any advice given. Does the advice make sense for my business and my situation?? Does the advice make business sense?? since I am in a business...
If we listened only to people who thought exactly the same way we do, well...I don't know...where's the growth in that? Where's the opportunity to open our minds and our hearts and our businesses and our strategies and our philosophies? Where's the opportunity to see an issue from another viewpoint and thereby become deeper, truer, wider, more understanding human beings? Nobody has proprietary rights on the "right" way to view anything. Nobody. No matter how right or left they are. We're all still learning, every day, every step of the way. Wish more of us understood that.
I am much more liberal than conservative but I have many friends who are the opposite. I love discussing hot issues with those i agree with and those that I don't agree with.
My only challenge is when someone takes a stand on an issue without considering the underlying facts. In other words:
I am a [ CHOOSE ONE: conservative, liberal, progressive, libertarian] therefore this is how I feel.
The sad part of our political system is that most politicians MUST pick one side or the other in order to get the endorsement of a party. For example, If you are deeply and passionately against abortion and you are deeply and passionately a proponent of gun control - you can't really belong to either party.
It is only by listening to the "other side" that we can learn.
As for putting my views on display for the world at large including SOI, it is an unfortunate truth that there are a multitude of people who are NOT open to learning from the "other side" and are dedicated to hating the opposition. Thus, if you state a strong opinion on one side or the other, you are guaranteed to alienate a good percentage of people who might hire you.
Tanya - I love your comment that none of us is "right" about our viewpoint. I do think (and I'll write about this more in a follow-up blog) that we may be more inclined to agree with those we agree with on political ideology and that's fine. But to say that someone is WRONG because their ideology is different... not quite the American way, is it? Oops, sorry, does Canada say things like that? "The Canadian way?" Did I just screw up again???
Pat - Seems like a reasonable approach, doesn't it?
Julia - I had a similar conversation recently, believe it or not! Politics is awfully divisive. And maybe that's okay...?
Rick - I know exactly what you are saying - and several years ago I made a bit of a fool of myself by doing what you mention - I won't go into the details, but I made a statement I didn't really believe, but felt I was supposed to believe due to my affiliation with a certain group. When I was pressed on the issue, I found myself looking like an idiot because I couldn't back up my opinion with anything intelligent because it WASN'T my real opinion. I do find, however, that I tend to be pretty consistent politically-speaking.
Great point about the way our system is set-up - that our leaders must choose a side and subscribe to most or all of the beliefs of that side... no wonder politics is so divisive.
One of the things I dislike is folks talking to me about their politics when I am showing homes. First of all I do not know them. Secondly in my opinion they are usually wrong. Thirdly I really do not care. However I did read your BP blog and while I do not totally disagree with you, I think the record shows they cut corners and got burned. Did they want this to happen and are they dirty dogs? No But in the old risk reward category they screwed up. Kinda like the ford pinto where the bean counters calculated the payouts when these things got rear ended. But messed up when some one survived. So I guess I cannot feel sorry for BP but cannot demonize them either.
I did not find your BP post particulary "political" . It was more of an opinion about an event. I am still a fan, for what it is worth
Short answer: No.
Should I take medical advice from a Republican? Fashion advice? Investment advice? Parenting advice? Dating advice? Marketing advice?
No, no, no, no, no and no.
I choose to take advice from people whom I trust and believe are extremely good at what they do. Because they have knowledge and experience. Because I feel that they truly have my best interests at heart, as opposed to feeling like I'm only worthy of their advice because I see things their way.
The only instance where I would take advice from a Republican would be if I were running for office on a Republican platform.
Now....kindly substitute "Republican" with any one of the following:
Democrat, Vegan, Wiccan, Psychic, Nudist, Klingon.
Charlie - thanks so much for your comment. I did not think my blog was political AT ALL - and so it never occured to me that it would end up in political debate. Not everyone jumped on that bandwagon, of course; most were more interested in debating whether or not my original premise held oil or not. Not whether or not I'm an idiot because I'm a conservative. That's why I was so startled when the hostile comments started coming into my email.
Glad you're going to stick around!
Kim - As always... DEAD ON!
Jennifer - I get it. I am involved in local politics - and I support different people and different issues, not just one platform. I guess you could say I am REALLY REALLY A.D.D. (I am)
The reason it's interesting to know that you are right of center for me is simply for "filtering" reasons. That way, when you suggest an approach I feel is really conservative, I better understand where you are coming from.
I wouldn't lose sleep over it. You are who you are. You are transparent (not in a bad way), and the people who want to do business with you will. You have much to offer!
Hi Jennifer. You will never please everyone...
So why try?
Thanks for writing,
Ken
I've taken advice from democrats, republicans and independents. I just don't ask anyone how I should vote. I dislike politicizing things that aren't political. I am right of center on many things and rather liberal on others, and I think that people should keep their politics from prejudicing their opinion on real estate.
J.P. - I do find that I tend to find advice from like-minded folks to be more palatable to me. Not because they're one party or another, exactly, but that the way one views politics reflects an overall worldview and philosophical approach that may be pretty consistent across the board.
Ken - I'm learning that lesson!
Eleanor - Great point. Some have told me that I should keep my politics to myself, and for the most part, I do. But you're right - perhaps when I'm talking about real estate and someone disagrees with me, they can say to themselves - "Hmmmm, she's a conservative and I'm a liberal, so maybe this is an area we're not likely to agree on," and leave it at that...
I, myself am probably more on the Liberal side just for the record.
I think your post became political because some of your commenters "started it" :o). Bringing up the current administration and blaming them probably had the Liberal side of your readers a little angry especially when you agreed whole heartedly with them. I love the guy with the NO Left Turn arrow :o)! That in itself alienates those readers who do go more to the left.
Like it or not, (and I don't), as Americans we have let the political battle between Conservatives and Liberals go too far. I am disgusted at the way people treat our current President when in administrations past, that would just have not been tolerated. We look like a Country who does a lot of "infighting" when we need to be putting those issues aside and focusing on the issues of our Country. That is just my humble opinion of course.
I honestly think that's what happened and why your post turned so political. That doesn't mean I will stop reading what you have to say. Lots of luck!
Thank you Brenda! GREAT stuff! And I agree with what you say (even though we're on opposite sides of the aisle - go figure!). For the record myself, I do NOT blame the government for this mess, any more so than I blame anyone else involved - and there is plenty of blame to go around. I have heard some interesting rumors, but since I'm so freakin' clueless about such things, I'll assume they are just rumors unless proven otherwise. I really do believe that everyone involved IS trying their best to clean this up, regardless of what got us here in the first place.
initial thought as I read others' responses...
I would consider advice from anyone who has proven themselves knowledgable on the subject. How can you discredit a whole person because of their opinions?
I think it's possible to both "love" and "learn from" those who are different from you.
(and I am saying this as a conservative Republican!! Sometimes my Christianity overpowers my political alignment...ok, it always wins!) ; )
--Sandy
Jennifer - I am not one for "throwing out he baby with the bathwater" and that appears to be what is happenning. To ignore good advice because you disagree with a political (or religious, or whatever) ideology is foolish and often self damaging, and also quite immature. For the most part I can work with people of any political ideology, unless they are nasty about it. Those people I won't work with, even if they are of the same polticial, philosophical, religious, college sports team, etc. as I am.
Hang in there!
I certainly am a conservative, I am cautious about screaming about it out loud in business situations just for fear of offending...
I think that many folks in our biz lean towards the conservative side fiscally - as commissioned people you almost have to be. But ones political views have very little to do with ones knowledge. Then again, Birds of a feather flock together, so that may take over the commonsense factor of proven knowledge, and commonsense ?? That is an entirely different blog subject!
One of my BEST friends is VERRRRRY Liberal, but that doesnt mean he isnt my friend as I said he is one of my BEST friends. Isnt that part of the fun of living in the good old USA? It is the differences that keep it interesting, Much like our business we have chosen, Every client, Every transaction is different, and that keeps me coming back to work each day.
I'm with most of your respondents. (Of course, those who cut you off are not likely to be responding, are they?)
I'm liberal as hell and I'm not gonna take it anymore! Well, except maybe some of your real estate advice and ideas, I'll steal, er, borrow any good ones I can get. Case in point: Greg Swann. Has some great real estate listing ideas, but (to me) he's a political nut job. I still read his stuff except when I can see it's a libertarian rant. But that's OK.
The blog post about BP was OK with me. You were commenting on something that intimately affected you and perahps your livelihood. I worry about BP going down the tubes, because then we're going to have to pay. That's why I'm not boycotting BP stations - aside from the fact that they are owned and operatied by perfectly fine normal local people just like me, whose families will suffer through nothing they did or didn't do.
And no, I'm not going to stop listening to you or attending your webinars. Eventually I will guess the right number between 1 and 500 and win a prize!
Best, Kim H
Jennifer - Like some of the other liberal comments on this post, knowing your right of the center doesn't really affect the way I think or feel about you - I still like you and will still remain a loyal fan and subscriber. Don't get me started on the BP post you wrote - that was a horrible exhibit of human nature and it's arrogance and pettiness at it's worst.
I live in "Reagansville" (Simi Valley is home of the Reagan library) so for a die-hard, bleeding heart liberal, I have learned to restrain from spewing my political viewpoints in public (and why I rarely discuss them here either). Most of my family, neighbors and a large percentage of my clients are at some point "right of the center". Most of my close friends are on the other side of the center - more like me. That too is probably a good example of human nature - birds of a feather.
However, I do have some friends who veer a little more to the right and quite frankly - so be it. As far as I know, it's still a free country and we have the right to believe whatever we want.
<SIGH> I received a phone call last week from an agent I did not know who was looking for a referral to list her friend's property in Birmingham. Until then I have never had anyone ask me if I was Democrat or Republican when considering whether to hire me. I guess I should not have been surprised, but I sure was!
Wow - I am so glad to see so many lefties commenting positively on this. I tell ya' - I was somewhat discouraged after the BP drama that I was going to have to pick sides from here on out, which would, as I'm seeing, eliminate a lot of wonderfully intelligent, open-minded and insightful people from my world! In fact, I wrote a follow-up blog to this blog that I was going to post tomorrow, but I'm now rethinking that...
Ann - So, did you give the right answer?
Well, I didn't think it had any relevance and told her so. Looks like I'm getting the referral anyway. :o)
Kim - Even fashion advice? Really?
Interesting stuff. I submit that to build relationships, a cornerstone of SWS, you have to be yourself. Sometimes people will not like that. But unless you take it personal, it won't be personal.
Be you. Be Great. (I know you will, just thought I'd say it anyways.) The right people to be in your world (business, hobbies, life, etc) will work themselves into your world and the others will work themselves out. Sounds like a "SuuuWeeeet" plan!
I would have never have pinned you down politically before. I am far to the right and those that read me know it. I think you have to be who you are. I deal with lots of people from the other side. I think it is those that are insecure who are afraid to discuss things.
Blogging is about being authentic and as long as you keep it that way, so be it with those who don't agree with your post (regardless of its content, political or not), it's who you are and thank God we live in a country where you can still express your views with liberty, it'd be a scary place otherswise.
Crum...I have bought homes, cars, clothes, and vacationed with those on the other side of the fence (politically...that is). Sometimes the things my close friends say about politics makes my blood boil...but it doesn't stop me from using them in their area of expertise. Part of the beauty of living in America is expressing our thoughts freely without worry of retaliation. I feel sorry for those clients/friends of yours who wished they hadn't done business with you because of your views politically. Their loss...
You know all of us work with people we know and like. So do our Clients, which is why everyone discourages discussing religion and politics publicly. We have to live with what we put out here...
You asked for it by bringing politics up, this post from The Onion cracked me up. It's funny because it's TRUE (of people on both sides)
Should you take real estate advice from a Republican?
While politics definitely has an effect on the real estate market, I don't believe that one's political affiliation has that much bearing on how they do their job. I mean, would it matter if your doctor was of the opposite political party from you? Of course not!
Jennifer- I am a person who is extremely conservative in personal beliefs, values and principles yet when it comes to politics and government I am a libertarian. I believe in SUPER limited government and free markets and Capitalism. ANd I think you already know that from reading my blog.
I get hired as a coach and as a realtor by some of the most liberal people even here on active rain. I also invite their debate anytime on my blog. Polarizing your audience is the best thing you can do for your business and for your soul. Your company name has the word SOUL in it. Your soul has a voice. And never let some screaming people shut you up or shut you down. That is their MO. THat is what hateful people do. We must not respond by cowardice.
I made a comment on Ruthmarie's post about what would I do if I were the President and she agreed with me on most everything. Isn't that a shock to most people who know her views and my views.
THat is because politically I will not force others to do what I do. I would do many unpopular things for conservatives and liberals alike. Both parties are wrong, both parties are bad and both parties need to be fired or reinvented. Dems want more bigger social programs and the stripping of individual liberties, GOP wants bigger government for military and stripping of liberties. The only answer to free markets is less government. The only answer to abiding by our constitution is less government interference in our lives and our businesses. The only answer lies in freedom. Benjamin Franklin was very wise: People who trade security for liberty deserve neither.
But I will tell you that I do not understand how any entrepreneur and that means real estate agents can be socialists or communists in their political views when that goes against exactly what they are doing: selling private property to private individuals and getting paid a commission for doing so, running a company, paying expenses and working for a profit. Hmmm, an oxymoron to say the least. I do understand it if they are giving 90% of their profits to the government, if they work only for the pubic good and not thinking AT ALL about paying their bills, if they are NOT working for commissions and if they are working for Fannie Mae leasing division, :)
I am just SO tired of all the quick-on-the-trigger folks who want to label everyone with Left or Right, and then assume they know that person's stance on every current issue. If the sum total of all your opinions puts you a bit left or right of some imaginary "center", I really don't care. I am interested in your well-reasoned opinion on each issue - that's the only way I'll know if I should consider changing my mind on that issue. Jennifer, keep up the good work!
After listening to a lot of politicians at every level for the last 60 years, I have yet to find even one that I agree with 100% of the time. I don't even think that we should always do what's best for all the real estate agents - we might want to think just a little bit about the rest of the country. All the divergent issues, as commenter #6 said, keep me from being a member of either camp. At the rate we are becoming more polarized, my next of kin will probably have to pick out a red or a blue box to put me in, under a red or blue tombstone, on the right or left side of the road in the cemetary. And the only good thing about that is that I won't care!
Seriously, I hope that we as a country can get back to the issues. There's lots of opportunities to make this a better country.
Hi Jennifer.
Do you vote? In Florida we are a closed primary state so must declare our party before voting in the primary.
"Florida is a closed primary state. If you wish to vote in a partisan primary election, you must be a registered voter in the party for which the primary is being held. However, if all candidates for an office have the same party affiliation and the winner will not have opposition in the general election, all voters, regardless of party affiliation may vote in the primary election for that office. In addition, all registered voters, regardless of party affiliation, can vote on issues and nonpartisan candidates in a primary election.
All party changes must be made by the end of the 29th day before the election."
http://election.dos.state.fl.us/voting/voting-info.shtml#party
I ask because it seems like you are in Florida too. They basically force us to choose.
Everyone who I know knows where I stand politically. I am not secretive about it but do not let it cloud my judgment of people. Likewise with my clients. They choose me because they know I work hard for them.
It's good to be transparent. I am glad that you were.
Wow - interesting thread. Now, I'm going to have to go back and read the post about BP.
I'm very involved in politics - city, state, federal. Everybody knows where I stand. But, I don't think Active Rain is the place to discuss it. I posted about the June 30th deadline not being extended and that turned into much more of a R versus D discussion than it should have.
Off the subject but I thought of you when I was reading about methane gas in the oil spill area. I remember you saying you were having some physical reaction to something. Is the gas affecting you?
Hi Joetta, There have been a few days where the smell was so strong, it hurt to go outside. But surprisingly, once the oil hit the shore, it's been fine - from a smell perspective anyway. As far as I can tell, the oil itself has no real smell, so I'm assuming the toxic stink comes from the burning of the oil offshore? I haven't heard a good explanation for it - but lately the air has smelled wonderful, even with all that crap on the beach.
Lana - I moved to Florida in January and I believe I did register to vote when I got my drivers license. So, I probably did choose a party, and if so, it would have been Republican.
Jennifer: I never, ever speak about Politics or Religion with business associates or on my blogs. It's just not a wise thing to do unless you want to get dumped on like you did. All I care about is concentrating on my business right now. When I want to debate politics I do it in the comfort of my own home or with friends that agree with me!!! It saves a lot of hair pulling, and I like my hair!!! :)
Jennifer,
Thanks for sharing. I would not lose one more minute of sleep over it, that is for sure! We are who we are and if someone doesn't want my advice or services because of my political views, I am fine with that. Keep up the good work!!
I came late to the party. Hmmmm.... something leaves me walking away thinking about this.
If I appreciated, liked your advice about real estate in the past, just because you dont share the same views with me on others, does that make the previous advice suddenly bad?
I dont think so.
I'm tired today after all that pouncing.