My new favorite bumper sticker reads "HISTORY IS MADE BY THOSE WHO SHOW UP"! So true.
In the world of perpetual campaigning that dominates our political landscape, we often forget the role and value of the individual voter. In the end, it is we (at least those who show up) who determine the kind of government we get. If you think your vote does not matter, consider these results from 2006:
District 43, State Assembly 20,692 votes cast Hixson wins by 38 votes
District 47 State Assembly 33,044 votes cast Hahn wins by 166 votes
District 88 State Assembly 17,778 votes cast Soletski wins by 76 votes.
On the local level, we have seen elections decided by 6 votes and many are decided by less than 50 votes. In Dane County, with a population of over 450,000, we have seen control of the County Board decided by less than 200 votes.
As an Association, we have always encouraged our Members to vote. On the state level, the WRA provides endorsements for candidates while on the local/regional level, those endorsements come from RASCW. In both cases, they are based on an incumbent¹s record, interviews and research on new candidates, based on real estate issues. We are not concerned with whether they are Democrats or Republicans, liberals or conservatives. We are concerned with whether they are members of what Senator Joe Lieberman called the "REALTORS® Party". These are candidates who are willing to listen to our concerns and support legislation that is good for the economy, the real estate industry, REALTORS®, and most of all, the families we serve. As an Association, we will never presume to tell you how to vote and there are many issues that may determine how you cast that vote. However, we will ask that you make sure that you do cast your vote and are aware of whether your candidate is a member of the "REALTORS® Party" as well as a Democrat or Republican.
Much will be decided on November 4th. On the federal level, the new President and Congress will have to deal with the current economic crisis, as well as our challenges overseas. On the state level, a widening budget deficit looms before us and challenges us to address the cost of health care. When election day dawns, make sure you are one of those who made history by showing up.