Oil on canvas, John Vanderlyn, 1834, Collection of U.S. House of Representatives
I just returned from Annapolis, Maryland, where a group of NAR RPAC Trustees were analyzing the November 2010 Congressional races. While this election is more than three months away, the trustees will be carefully monitoring each Congressional race and deciding the level of support that REALTORS® will be providing in the form of independent expenditures. It is this constant monitoring and planning that will help ensure that REALTORS® and our issues are well-positioned in the 2010 Elections.
The importance of our meeting was underscored during what we did during our break. We were able to visit the Maryland State House, the oldest state capitol still in continuous legislative use and the only state house to have ever served as the nation’s capitol. It was also the site for one of the most historic events in American history.
On December 23, 1783, General George Washington voluntarily resigned his military commission to the Continental Congress at the State House in Annapolis, an act that many scholars regard as a turning point in U.S. history. As the Revolutionary War was winding down, Washington’s popularity was so great that many tried to seduce him into becoming king. But Washington renounced them all, gave up his commission, and with it secured our nation as a government of the people.
As I stood at the very spot where George Washington turned over the power of the military and gave it back to the people, I am reminded of the responsibility we all have as citizens of our country, not only in voting, but also in fighting for our causes and becoming actively engaged in the upcoming elections.
Remember, we are all members of the REALTOR® Party. As you decide on who you’ll support this fall, I hope you’ll ask the candidates what their positions are on maintaining mortgage interest deductibility, their plan to reform Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and other issues that will help us sustain our housing recovery.
Later this year, check Realtor.org/GovernmentAffairs to see who RPAC is supporting.
After all, George Washington gave us all a tremendous gift, and with it a tremendous responsibility. I say we use the gift and own up to the responsibility. Vince Malta, 2010 NAR Vice President and Liaison to Government Affairs
