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Wake Up People, Stop Cap And Trade Or It Will Stop Us

Regardless of where you stand on energy use, climate change, alternative energy, or similar matters, the cap and trade bill that squeaked by in the House is set to ruin our livelihoods if it passes the Senate. It must be stopped.

There are provisions in this behemoth bill (over 1,300 pages, looking more like an almanac than a piece of sensible legislation) that apply to Freddie and Fannie and create green banking centers that undoubtedly will impact our businesses.

But here's three to chew on:

(1) federalization of the residential building codes, based on conformance to those currently in place in California - regardless of regional differences, consumer preferences, and States' rights;

(2) all new buildings must have electrical capabilities to allow for electric cars to to be recharged;

(3) before any home in America can be sold or resold, a federal inspection must be conducted on the energy efficiency of that home (including doors, windows, etc.) and a federal rating assigned to it - not sure who pays for this, but presumably it's the seller.

There are so many more onerous provisions to this bill. It must be stopped. It only passed the House 219-212, with 8 Republicans voting for it (the difference in passage right there). It faces opposition in the Senate, but that's not good enough. We must all voice our disapproval - if just for the 3 reasons I mentioned above.

The real estate business as we know it is at risk.

───

For more information on my coaching and educational programs and services, visit my website stevehoffacker.com or go to my other blog homesalesinsights.com for additional sales tips, insights, and commentary. You can also listen to my free podcast messages at Steve Hoffacker's Happenings.

Posted by Steve Hoffacker - Real Estate Sales & Marketing Consulting and Strategies on 06/29/2009 11:09 PM

Comments (240)

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Originally posted at: Steve Hoffacker's Sales Quips: Wake Up People, Stop Cap And Trade Or It Will Stop Us

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240 Comments on Wake Up People, Stop Cap And Trade Or It Will Stop Us

JUN

There really shouldn't be a federal standard for regional issues, that doesn't make sense. Also, requiring new construction to meet an energy code is one thing, assigning a score to existing construction is crazy. If retrofitting is required it will hurt the consumer even more.

We have a "Green" Community in our area and their prices are about 30% higher for comparable homes in the surrounding neighborhoods. Sure they save on utility bills but their payments much higher.

Good post. Whenever individual state rights are attacked, we should be able to agree to just say no!

Yea..get the feds involved even more. I can't understand why most say we need less government, and then throw a bunch more Government mandates at us.

Lisa,

As crazy as these things are, they are halfway into becoming reality. We need to speak up. :)

Steve

Michael,

Thank you and agreed. This is an immense power grab attempt by Washington. :)

Steve

William,

Does the term "Big Brother" sound familiar? The power play is quite obvious. :)

Steve

What everyone also needs to know is that there isn't one single Congressman who actually read this bill. It wasn't even available to read on Friday when they voted and there were at least an additional 300 pages added to it on Thursday night.

Kathy,

That "Thursday night" was actually 3:00 am Friday, and the bill wasn't available at the rostrum when they started debating it - as is required by House rules. :)

Steve

This must be stopped. I will do my part. Thanks for posting.

It seems when one party is dominant they flex their muscles and it is not always good for the rest of us. That can apply to either party and I usually think we get better laws when the house, senate and President are NOT all the same. This way we end up with lots of one-sided stuff that may be lacking in practical sense.

Sandy,

Thank you. Apparently the 8 Republicans who voted for the bill can still change their votes up until July 2. Let's pressure them. Of course the Dems who voted no can change, too, but let's focus on the the votes that can be changed - plus the Senate. :)

Steve

Steve,

I agree that a President and Congress from different parties help keep things in check. :)

Steve

Hi Steve

If this bill is passed the real estate and new home industry as we know it will no longer exist.

PS The Wall Street Journal is opposed to the bill.

Lou,

Thank you. Amazing that NAHB and NAR aren't out in front of this. :)

Steve

The funny part about Cap and Trade is- its nothing more than a regressive tax...affecting those who can afford it the least. Do politicians really believe businesses are going to absorb the costs???? Seriously... the additional costs get passed on to consumers. This isnt rocket science...or is it?

The real estate industry and the new home industry as we "knew" it, has already changed. I'm not sure about the bill, I haven't read it so I have a difficult time being for or against it but I know one thing: all the rhetoric for or against by the uninformed does not make deciding for myself any easier.

Steve - the NAHB and NAR are only interested in collecting dues and expanding membership, just like the NRA.

Steve, If the federal government continues to stomp on state rights, we will see several states secede from our nation...

This is just crazy stuff. It doesn't make sense, and it's certainly not what we need in the current economic and housing crisis.

Great post and great info Steve...congrat's on the gold star...you deserve it.

Unbelievable that the government just doesn't get it.

If this passes, they (the politicos) are't going to have jobs either . . . are they really that stupid to think we won't remember next time we vote??

You need to provide a link that has these "talking points" already prepared, so it's just a click to get it off to our state reps under our name.

Steve: improving our air, lowering our use of energy et....we all agree that there is to much waste, but this is ridiculous. Some changes are necessary but this is crazy. To much at the same time!

Steve- I have a post in draft about the cap and TAX bill that will do a lot more to hurt the real estate business, more than you can even imagine. But even more important, the poor will suffer terribly if this bill passes. It is going to really hurt the poor in coal heating communities.Their heating bills are going to triple! SO SAD! Katerina

From a home inspector's standpoint, #2 and #3 sound pretty good. I could easily develop some new services to help with those.

Mike,

It's a tax that can be sold as passing along a financial responsibility for something that really isn't a issue. Put that aside, and look at what else was tossed in here. That's even more of an issue. :)

Steve

I had Congressman John Carter in my office today. Read what he has to say about it:

John,

The bill is a punitive attempt to hamper forever our ability as a nation to compete effectively on the world stage while hamstringing those of us who would make this country great. :)

Steve

Paul,

This is precisely why we have a Constitution and Amendment 10 and other sfeguards were written into it. Now it's up to us to enforce it. Remember Lincoln's government of, by, and for the people? :)

Steve

Christine,

Strip away the logic. It does make sense if your goal is to raise taxes, seize more power, and make the citizenry total dependent on the government. :)

Steve

Karen,

Thank you. This is a defining moment for us as Americans. Congress and our President are trying the Hail Mary. We have to knock it down. :)

Steve

JUN

Like John, I haven't read it either. My guess is the same Kathy's that none of the congressmen have read it, either those voting for or against it. 1300 pages, I am sure there are more than three items of interest and more about those three items than can be digested in 3 short sentences. You are correct Steve, it could be as devastating on the housing industry as federal regulations have been on US automakers.

Carla,

For each person the talking points may be a little different. Just speak from your heart. We don't need more taxes, we don't want our industry regulated, we don't want to give up States' rights, we don't want to be penalized in international commerce, we want all forms of energy to be considered, we don't want to be told what kind of car to drive or which ones can be made, we want to be energy independent, we want to remain a nation of choices ... :)

Steve

Lloyd,

If we can produce energy, we can use it. We can be great if we are allowed to be. This is a very egregious power play with potentially irreversible consequences and implications. :)

Steve

Katerina,

Thank you. Look forward to reading your post. America has the largest coal reserve of any nation. We have been described as the Saudi Arabia of coal. We are just doing to abandon this resource. We are just going to turn our backs on technology so that some people can flex their powerful muscles? I enjoyed the EPA release of their report today on global cooling. The entire premise for this bill is missing. :)

Steve

Russel,

On the surface perhaps, but who says you get these jobs without a lot of investment in technology and tools, certification, and training? There's plenty of work for you now without making inspections mandatory. Think of how many more people might want to enter your field also. :)

Steve

Steve,

Thank you. I am reblogging your post to go right along with this one. We must raise our voices. Tell John thank you. He is one of the good guys. :)

Steve

Mike,

It's a total travesty and embarrassment on our legislative process that they would - within the unheard of span of just 11 days - introduce a measure, craft over 1300 pages of language that no one did or could possibly have read through - including an 11th hour addition of over 300 of those pages, rush it through committee, and get it to a vote without soliciting input from the citizens, fully understanding what they are voting on, considering the far reaching effects of this bill (especially on the provisions just tossed into it to beef it up), and potentially damaging forever the fabric of the America economy. :)

Steve

This sounds crazy, I can see mandates for new construction charging electric cars, this will be needed and certainly over time will be an update that is very often undertaken until it is pretty much standard ( like internet hook up and so on.)

The rest of it just makes no sense. It will make it hard to sell older homes when the actual best things to do energy wise is to continue to use the older home and make updates as you can. It will make it so that many of them sit empty as newer ones are built and that will in many ways hurt the economy, disrupt and hurt neighborhoods and in the end expend MORE energy that gradually changing things over.....

Anna,

I can see lenders refusing to lend if your energy score is below a certain number - making those homes entirly obsolete and worthless. If you think we have an issue with excess inventory now, just wait. And the costs to build all of the new homes with all of the new regulations and oversight? :)

Steve

Steve, providing provision for charging of electric cars for new construction is already part of the 2009 NEC----so having it in a whole separate bill seems redundant.

Steve, Thank you for this great information. I just re-blogged it!!

Keep up the good fight.

Watch this!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPPVDOpFCIA&feature=player_embedded

Big government is celebrating its golden age. Good post.

I just came across your post as I am just starting to do my research. I have not found any good reason to suport this bill. As it was debated on Friday, I happend to hear a housemember run through a list of organizations who support the bill. He said and repeated "National Association of Realtors" my ears perked up in amazement and disaproval at the same time. Does anybody know where I can find out more about NAR's position? I would like to get more informed, but once again have a bad feeling of diappointment & embarrasment of being part of NAR.

They have 5 Days from the time of their vote to change them, or we will work to vote them out of office.

1) Click on their link.
2) Select the 'Contact' tab.
Note:Contact their local office as they are not in DC at this time, they are home on vacation.

Mary Bono Mack R (CA)
Mike Castle R (DW)
Mark Steven Kirk R (IL)
Leonard Lance R (NJ)
Frank LoBiondo R (NJ)
John McHugh R (NY)
Dave Reichert R (WA)
Chris Smith R (NJ)

How they voted across the board. - Official government website showing how they voted.

Bart here is a start from someone who is in the know!

American Clean Energy & Security Act of 2009. Thanks Henry.

Just another way that the Feds stick it to us. It is time that the government got smaller...

Your building consultant for life in Nashville, TN

Steve, this is good information. To vote on a bill without reading in (either for or against) should be grounds to be removed from office! You have 1 reason to be back there and that is to pass or reject legislation, to try to shove a bill through like that is ridiculous! Even if it were a bill that I was 100% suportive of, I would still say to these Congressman and Women, your time is up, next! The other part of it, why are we doing anything to raise the costs of necessary items in a deep recession? HELLO! Is anyone there? These are not luxury items that are included in this bill! Seriously it is time for strict term limits! If two terms is enough for the President, then it should be enough for the House and Senate! We also need to stop legislating this country by Hero Worship, everyone is capable of good or bad ideas, let the idea stand on it's merit, rather than who proposed it!

Bart- Yes, we need to find out NAR position on this. They have already embarrassed us so much with saying we had to bail out the banks then saying we need the stimulus bill, sounds like they are just politicians too and not for their members.

Steve...

The freedom loving capitalist in me hates it, the "green" environmentalist in me loves it. I think that energy conservation is a national priority, but I would prefer to see a passive system such as tax credits.

Steve,

It's interesting. When I watch politicians on TV talk about "Cap and Trade" I know they're lying. I just don't know which side is lying more.

Rich

# 3 alone is enuff !!! I can't imagion a FEDERAL inspection !!!!!!!!!

Great post Steve. I'm glad it is featured. I am very concerned about where our country is going. I feel like all of a sudden we live in the old USSR or Cuba. Who would have thought in the US we would have unelected Zars? Our liberty is slipping to tyranny. Everyone needs to stay involved and in touch with your Representatives and keep them informed how we the people feel.

Cap and trade is the largest tax increase in history. Washington DC has no right to mandate issues to the States.

ToulaRosebrock,com

Hi Steve:

Congrats on the feature!

This can't be good...

As much as I would love to see every home be more energy efficient, these new proposed regulations are over the top!

You know that it's a huge deal and they really don't want people to know what's in there when they try to pass it so quickly. What is the rush? And as long as China and India can do what they want this bill won't make a bit of difference to the environment. It will just make us poorer and allow the government to control more of what we do.

It's just a way to get to control everything we do. I am so sick and tired of this crap. I don't need the government telling me what I can eat, what light bulbs I can read by, what toilets I can piss in, what car I can drive, how much I need to pay my employees, what doctors I can use.

It's time to get rid of it all and start all over. I'm hoping that this might be the straw that broke the camel's back.

Thanks for the information -

When our government GOES bankrupt, what will happen??? Has anyone researched this?

If we owe China billions of dollars and cannot pay them will they foreclose on America - will they then own the White house and the federal land? The post office? The states?

Something tells me they won't make out the social security checks, disability checks and unemployment checks to people who would be expecting them?

Thanks for bringing this to my attention. Time to call and email my senator.

I am hoping for a change this next election cycle. Especially if States rights continue to be challenged.

Only if you believe in the fear mongering by the Heritage Foundation.

Steve, so glad this got featured.

Honestly most Americans aren't going to have a clue what hit them until their taxes go sky high, or they get ready to sell, or any of the other crap in this 1333 page document.

Jobs will be lost, in Mi we are 80% dependant on coal.

Let me catch my breath! Things are changing so fast in DC that I cannot see straight or keep up.....if I was a conspiracy theory advocate I would say this sounds orchestrated and intentional. Thanks for the heads up and yes, we need to let our voices be heard. Please tell me that it does not fall on def ears.

Call your Senators and tell them to vote NO! Melt the switchboards.

I'm an environmentalist (studied environmental science and engineering in grad school), and my opinion is that cap and trade is one of the worst concepts out there. It's a bad idea for some of the reasons given in this post but, more importantly, it's a bad idea because it won't help reduce global air pollution.

Most of the politicians who vote (for or against) these bills don't even read them, and the consequences can be disastrous.

Charles,

I'm not aware of that but OK. As for the national building code, the required inspections, the increase in taxes, ... :)

Steve

Alice,

Thank you for doing your part in this fight and for keeping this message out in front. :)

Steve

Sam,

But they haven't won yet. We can still keep our country if we act now! Thanks. :)

Steve

Bart,

I'm not sure of NAR's position either, but support of this bill - even having your name associated with this bill - does nothing to help their members and severely hurts them! Thank you. :)

Steve

Does a letter to congress opposing this bill exist? If so, can someone provide a link?

Alice,

Thanks for posting the names of the 8 scoundrels who have given up on America. Let's mount an all-out effort to show them that this was a very stupid vote on their part. :)

Steve

This is a crazy bill. Just like the porkulus bill. No review, just push it through. There is absolutely no sense in what is going on in Washington now. This is going to hurt everyone, and push this economy even deeper into a pit.

Alice,

Thanks for the link to Gene's post. I just reblogged it. :)

Steve

Michael,

It is time that the government get smaller, but it's up to us to do it - they won't. Here's a great chance. :)

Steve

Another Crap Bill that will do nothing to help us! Just like the $8000 tax credit for first time buyers - we see how this is doing nothing to help fix the housing problems!!!

TIME FOR OBAMA TO GO - CHANGE AGAIN!!!!!

Tony and Darcy,

Great comments. In the past, it has taken months, and sometimes years, to get a piece of legislation proposed, vetted, and acted upon. Now we can do it it in a week or two. This is not Congress. This is just voting as instructed. We need a cooling off period - and an insistance that people attest, under oath, that they have read the entire document they are voting on. :)

Steve

"The sky is falling, the sky is falling" would be a fitting subtitle for your post...Come on Steve, we as a nation, have to take steps to address energy, environment and sustainabilty for our nation...This bill which is largely opposed by the GOP as a taxation issue (the single issue party?) is a step in the right direction. BTW, change was promised and change is coming...Learn the ropes of the new business' that will be generated by this legislation and stop trying to turn back the clock...Progress marches on...even for people who don't want it to.

Good work, keep spreading the word.

It makes you wonder what the true motivation of our representatives are or is it they do what they are told to do by the leadership.

Katerina,

Thank you. Often times these organizations forget why they exist. I do hope they are on the right side of this issue, and if they are they need to be vocal. Why do we need to serach for their position? Why aren't they out in front encouraging the defeat of this measure - unless they actually do hope it passes? :)

Steve

Where is the NAR on this? Their mission is to make REALTORS profitable, blah blah. They are so enthralled with the Chicago messiah, they will not represent the mambership on this most crucial issue. Where is the NAR on getting legislation for group insurance rates for a million person group.

Richard,

In this fight, the capitalist in you needs to win out or they may not be any money to support the second part. And who gets to make China, India and the other countries who are less concerned about the environment give us more of a chance to compete globally?

Rich,

Politicans - for the most part - want to get elected and stay elected until they call it quits. Therefore, much of what they say is designed for that purpose. Labeling this bill for the environment and security is the old apple pie and motherhood ploy. :)

Steve

Michael,

You are right. If it was but one sentence in the 1300 pages it would be enough to want this bill defeated. It will ruin the real estate business as we know it and give all the power to the banks and the feds. It actually has the potential to destroy property rights in this country. :)

Steve

Team Knowles,

Thank you for your excellent comments. Not only don't the feds have a right to mandate to the States, it is specifically prohibited by the Constitution. :)

Steve

Two weeks after his election as president, Barack Obama said, "Few challenges facing America and the world are more urgent than combating climate change. The science is beyond dispute and the facts are clear." Shortly thereafter, more than 100 scientists signed a newspaper advertisement responding, "With all due respect Mr. President, that is not true." The scientists, from places as varied and esteemed as Los Alamos National Laboratory, the American Physical Society, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Princeton University, and the University of Pennsylvania, said the "case for alarm regarding climate change is grossly overstated."

Each day it becomes more evident that global warming, climate change or whatever the hell they are calling it this week is just a hoax designed to tax us for the very air that we breath.

Here is a good link to a video on the subject from Glen Beck that touches on a few housing issues:

http://www.brokeragentsocial.com/BrokerAgent/video/270

Toula,

Thank you. I appreciate your response. There is a false economy here brought about by trying to convince people that every home can be made energy efficient - maybe to a point. Some just can't. Do they get condemned? If we produced more energy and turned our backs on foreign oil (by drilling domestically and off shore), this would be a non-issue. Those who wanted to save money and make their homes more energy efficient could do so. Those who didn't wouldn't have to. We still have some freedoms - for now. :)

Steve

Tim,

Amen! 100% agree. Let's not let this one get away. We actually have some momentum building on our side. This time, they did go too far. :)

Steve

Marilyn,

When we go broke, the game changes. Why do we want to do this now? :)

Steve

Russ,

Call eveyone on Capitol Hill that you can think of. We have to prevail on this one. This could be a game changer for America as we have known it. :)

Steve

Is Obama a member of the Heritage Foundation? One commenter's opinion is that all "fear mongering" on Cap & Trade comes from the Heritage Foundation.

Watch Obama as he comments about skyrocketing energy costs as a price we Americans pay for Cap & Trade Tax.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQsIBtwUh6Q&NR=1

Darrell,

I am, too. I would love to see a House-cleaning (and Senate while we're at it). We don't have time for that. This measure needs to be stopped now. Then we can vote the rascals out anyway. :)

Steve

Terry,

Glad to have you part of the discussion. Please read the bill - not all of it - who could? The parts I cite are in there , but they are in government-speak. Won't be as many homes to stage if some of them can't be sold or financed. :)

Steve

Missy,

Thank you so much for your support, Help spread the word. Aside from the taxes and the repressive attitude toward coal and oil, the proposed impact on real estate is chilling. :)

Steve

Steve - I doubt anyone has read this bill in it entirety. Any bill that requires 1300 pages is loaded with ambiguity regardless. We are forcing a revolution in this country. It wouldn't be the first.

Jessica,

Fantastic comments. Great observations. I like the way you expressed them. Thanks. :)

Steve

Edward,

I think that there are only a few ears in Washington that remain open. Those are the ones we need to reach. :)

Steve

Wow! With all these posts, it tells me that there are a lot of people sick and tired of the lies and deception we are receiving from Obama and Congress. Tyranny comes to mind and it must be stopped. Cap and Trade (Tax) is not about energy conservation, global warming or any other "cause". It is about control and more of it. What the Obama admin and Congress fail to tell everyone is (along with a prior post about passing the costs on to the consumers) that corporations will just open plants or increase production of existing plants outside our borders. None of the large corporations will stop doing business or close their doors because of additional taxes levied on them - they'll just figure out a way to get around it and moving operations out of the country is the most desireable. So as Steve titled his post, "Wake-up people" let's get the word out to as many people as we can!

Tony,

Agreed. When I called Sen. Mel Martinez (R-FL) office earlier this morning I was told that he didn't have a position yet. I suggested he get one pronto and he be against it. He has already experienced life in Cuba. :)

Steve

Sylvie,

Thank you for expressing your very learned opinion. This means that there are many reasons for not supporting this bill - environmental, economic and political. :)

Steve

Most of what I have read in this post is focused on whether or not the bill has been read. What is missing is any debate as to whether or not the reason for the bill is even valid. To even think there is a legitimate reason for this bill to exist in any form is to buy into the concept that humans have the ability to control or have an impact on global temperatures. Proponants of this bill want you to believe that we, the United States, can lower global temperatures based on our energy consumption and production. If this is true then we are also the cause of global warming. Since we are to blame then we should all be forced to pay for our role in destroying the planet.

The real purpose of this bill is to raise the cost of cheap energy sources in order to make more expensive (green) sources more competitive. Not to mention the carbon credit business of an ex vice president who used scenes from a hollywood disaster movie to scare you into believeing we are all doomed if we don't change our evil ways.

Lets talk about the cost to consumers. There are estimates that this energy tax will increase the cost of consumer energy bills by about $1,600 per year. Thats $1,600 you wont be spending on other products. As we all know reduced consumer spending will devastate an already slow economy. That means lost jobs as the companies that manufacture and distribute the goods we buy go out of business or cut back their work force. The estimated cost doesn't even address the added cost of every product that uses energy in its production and delivery to market. Is there any product you can think of that will not be affected by higher energy costs?

Even the president recognizes that his plan will increase the cost of energy. Watch him say it in his own words here. Obviously he feels that you can afford to pay for this folly of redistributing your wealth to the organizations he favors.

Bottom line is that this bill MUST BE STOPPED. If passed this bill will result in a catastophe far greater than a 1/2 degree change in global temperatures.

This is just one more example of how our government is trying to crash our currently dying economy. They want to control us more and more and rope everyone into a one-world government. It would do every realtor good to post this link on their websites and facebook pages:

http://www.examiner.com/x-3704-Columbia-Conservative-Examiner~y2009m6d26-Why-citizens-should-be-worried-over-pending-cap-and-trade-energy-tax?cid=email-this-article

I believe if more people become aware that there are evil, greedy people in control of our government that need to be outed and ousted, the future of our children will be much brighter. If we don't do something about these wicked officials now, our children will pay dearly, but so will we.

Thank you for bringing this to everyone's attention. The power grab that is happening at a phenomenal speed is frightening. Now they are taking away States Rights?? They are quickly taking total control of our lives.

If we allow this bill to pass the Senate we all had better look for new careers!!!

I've written all the people I know in my area. What is sad is all the deaths publicized this week takes away from this important issue unfortunately. I haven't seen it once mentioned this week in the mainstream media!

Thank you for the post. I heard some people speaking about some of these issues at dinner last night and I was almost sure they were joking.

The federal government is not the place to be creating laws like this and the "pass the bill before anybody has a chance to read it" mentality is offensive.

Hopefully this bill will not pass and the American people will have a chance to sort out the beneficial parts from the dangerous parts.

And to Paul above, change can be for the better or for the worse. Promoting change for the sake of change is not rational in our businesses, nor is it rational for our government.

Wow, I hadn't heard of the specifics of this bill...it sounds ridiculous!!

Green banking centers?!?!

Is it true the the NAR has come out in favor if this? That is complete BS. Lets add more layers of the Federal Government and call it "protecting" the citizens. What a bunch of crap. It is all about POWER. This Cap and Tax needs to be stopped immediatly.

Lucien brings up an important point. Why is a bill on Global Warming being passed when 31,000 scientists reject the global warming theory?

http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=64734

http://www.globalwarminghoax.com/news.php

Let's clean up the earth, but clean up the things that we can do something about...like our water and trash.

I think this bill will be defeated in the senate.

Point #3, is a silly thing to require, as the buyer should already be conducting it as part of their inspections, if they so desire.

Just one question about point #1: Is the attempt to about the entire CA building code or just the Title 24 -- Energy Efficiency portion? If it is just Title 24, I'm curious if your localities also require things like dual-pane windows and insulation in new construction?

Patricia,

Not sure if such a leter exists. Anyone? Phone calls are fine and you can call repeatedly. :)

Steve

Mark,

You are so right. Bills used to take time as people voting on them tried to understand what they meant, their implications, and get some sense of how their constituents felt. No more. Pass it before it spoils. :)

Steve

So what does everyone intend to do about it? Do you think calling your Congressman will still work? There are TEA Parties planned all over the country on July 4th. Go to one. It is a start.

I hope it does not come to this, but a good thing happened in Honduras. A President kept overstepping his bounds. Finally the Supreme Court ordered his arrest by the military. He was released and now claims it is a military coup. It was not, it was a functioning government getting rid of a chief executive bent on becoming a dictator. The Legislature stood up to him and is still functioning. A replacement has been appointed and election will be held as scheduled.

The upholding of the Honduran Constitution has been denounced by Hugo Chavez, Castro, and Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. You can always tell people by the company the keep. Compare this to our governments strong support for Freedom in Iran (Yes I am being sarcastic!) and it should send a chill down your spine.

So what will you do about it?

ONe person commented on fear mongering from the Heritage Foundation. I read the heritage foundation and they give the facts of these news stories and bills and votes and things that are happening rapid fire in our country. The media half the time aren't even commenting on serious issues and pieces of news and when they do they give their OPINIONS to Americans, not the facts.

I too am curious and fearful as to why our country's wealth is being given away so quickly, without any of those who are VOTED IN BY US TO DO OUR BIDDING reading what they are voting on. Nancy Pelosi said that she won't give a week before the Senate vote for AMERICANS to read the bill on health care before they pass it(notice her, PASS IT, she's confident) because this is too urgent an issue. NO, it's not. It needs to be understood by those who are paying for it. She's not paying for it, she's forcing us to pay for it and we can't even read it? I hope that the Lord convicts her on a daily basis for the harm she is doing to our country and our citizens and our future, as well as all of our elected officials. What about the president? There are other forces at work with that man, and with all that he is "doing". I think there are strings galore and he is just the front man. I can read and pray and understand for myself what is going on, and what I just feel in my gut is going on, and that is not fear mongering. That is truth, put out there in any and every way possible, since we aren't getting that from our elected officials, and certainly not the socialist president. Watch him "speak." We know presidents don't make up their own speeches, and I feel that every word he says is a scripted lie.

HI STEVE,

THERE ARE MANY IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESTATIVES WHO WERE UNABLE TO READ THE CAP AND TAX LEGISLATION BECAUSE 300 NEW PAGES ADDED AND DELIVERED AT 3 O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING OF THE DAY OF THE VOTE. ON CSPAN THE HOUSE MINORITY LEADER READ PARTS OF IT INCLUDING SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR APPRAISORS TO IDENIFY THE AGE OF WINDOWS, APPLIANCES, HEAT AND COOLING IN THE DETERMINING THE VALUE OF PROPERTY. IT ALSO SAID THEY WERE TO GET SPECIAL TRAINING IN PUTTING THIS IN THEIR REPORTS. SOME OF THE OUTRAGE IS ON YOUTUBE.

HE MENTIONED THAT THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS HAD ENDORSED THIS CAP AND TAX LEGISLATION !!!!!!!!!

JERRY GRAY CRB,CRS/ PRUDENTIAL CAROLINAS REALTY / WINSTON SALEM, NC

California is BANKRUPT and the Feds are FOLLOWING THEIR LEAD? Yikes! Common sense truly does not exist with 'leaders' in Congress.

Contact your Senators TODAY and let them know if you are against this awful bill. If your representative voted for it, let him/her know that you do not appreciate it and will remember this at election time.

Steve: Thanks for an excellent post. You really get it. This country is in SERIOUS trouble. I was sick to my stomach when I found out the vote results on Friday. Add to that yet ANOTHER House vote on a bill that none of them read! What is happening to our country is so scary. I can only HOPE that enough citizens will learn what this YES vote means and make it their DUTY to contact their senators and urge them to vote NO on this or they're going to be out of a job like the millions others who will lose theirs because of this bill. I've heard about a revolution coming. You know something? I am starting to believe it. How much can this country take before it totally flatlines? We can no longer depend on our elected representatives. Everyone has a voice. USE IT!

NAR needs to hear from us as well as all of our legislators! This is an insane bill! Most scientists don't agree with the propoganda we are being feed from this administration about "Global Warming". It is simply not true. Just today news came out about a cover up of a report in the EPA that stated global warming wasn't happening.

Even the most cursory review of history shows us that sometimes governments do bad things to "their people". YES, the sky is falling!

This is so scary - as most of what has happened in our government over the last 6 months. The sad part is the only way we can make a difference is at voting time. I have written my reps and you get the canned - no questions answered email in response. Of course we can become vocal and the tea parties are a great idea but it is at voting time we need to really make our voices heard. Those reps that do not listen to their constituents need to be OUT! Dave Reichert - so you hear that!

Hi Steve

It's great to see the real estate professionals getting involved with this issue. We have to stop Washington from rushing the bill though with them being read and blindly being approved.

Good luck and success.

Lou Ludwig

Thanks for this, Steve! I pray for some sanity in the here and now as well as a lot of repealling in 2011 and beyond...

Don't look for CNN, or the other main stream media to report on this TAX bill! I just checked CNN under politics and they have no less than 3 stories about Sanford and NOTHING about this horrid bill. Who gives two flips about Sanford and his mistress? Our country is in deep trouble!!

A link to this bill is below. If you don't know your reps you can find them on the same site. If you ever have trouble finding the final version of a bill that's being voted on you should be able to get it from your Congressperson. Mine has emailed bills to be in the past.

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d111:H.R.2454:

Richard S.,

Putting all other issues aside, this bill just plain hurts us and peole who one property. :)

Steve

Paul,

Thanks for the comments, but many of us are not in favor of new or higher taxes - they only support more government. That aside. these regulations promise to drastically increase the cost of construction and even make some existing houses unsaleable. :)

Steve

Gary,

Thank you. I appreciate your agreement and support. You really do have to question some of their motives. :)

Steve

I heard about the potential impact to the real estate industry this morning on my favorite talk radio show, why is not being talked about on TV media? Obama himself said that what is going to bring us out of this current economic slump is the recovery of real estate and housing, yet if passes it will kill home sales. How can he say one thing and do another?

Thomas,

I don't know where the NAR is on this. I'm trying tpo find out. If anyone knows, tell us.

The NAHB lobbied against it's passage, and I'm talking with their GA staff about this.

We must do our part, however. :)

Steve

Don,

There were many people who weren't on board with this even before the election. Now, the EPA issued a report yesterday (that was buried) that the tempeartures haven't changed at all in the last 60 years and that we might even be a little cooler now than then. :)

Steve

Don't know who left the link to the Glenn Beack video - didn't leave your name. Thank you. :)

Steve

Paula,

Thank you. Does anyone else find it amusing that there's all of this hullabaloo over carbon dioxide emissions when it's the very nutrient of plant life? And what do plants give off? Oxygen. The more plants there are, the more carvbon dioxide they can ingest, and the more oxygen they can produce. What a plan! :)

Steve

Kent,

I made the observation before that this bill is roughly the size of the Bible in print. Someone's going to sit down and read this in an evening? :)

Steve

So many people got "their guy" in office and now its time to start slapping your self in the face and admit you messed up.

Great blog Steve...Obama must go and it is time to change again..Not only with Cap and Trade but with the new Healthplan..

Would you like to find out you have breast cancer and then have to wait 8 weeks for a loved one to get treatment like in Canada,England and Europe...

That is what will happen if we don't stop the Health Care Plan not to mention how many people will die while ona waiting list for health care...

Why do you think we see so many people coming to America from those countries to get treatment right away.

Does anyone have a place where we can voice our opinions and be hear by the Senate?

Join a Teaparty on the 4the of July at teaparties.com or glennbeck.com

Steve - Congrats on your member spotlight and thank you for bringing this to our attention. I wish government would realize that over-regulation is not going to be the solution to any of our problems.

Terry B.,

Thank you for your excellent comments. Right on about the businesses - they will go where than can produce at the best cost with the least regulation - used to be be a issue of different States competing for business, now it's more of countries competing - and we're going to hear that giant sucking sound continue. :)

Steve

"Obama himself said that what is going to bring us out of this current economic slump is the recovery of real estate and housing, yet if passes it will kill home sales. How can he say one thing and do another?"

I am fast realizing that obama says one thing and does exactly the opposite. He believes the people are stupid enough to keep believing him! They aren't...at least the large majority of folks aren't.

"Would you like to find out you have breast cancer and then have to wait 8 weeks for a loved one to get treatment like in Canada,England and Europe...

That is what will happen if we don't stop the Health Care Plan not to mention how many people will die while ona waiting list for health care..."

It is actually worse than that. Women with breast cancer in those countries are dying because, "the government doesn't have the money to pay for the needed drug therapies". Canada has 20% higher death rate from breast cancer than the US. People in the UK have to go BLIND in one eye before they get the ok to have a drug to save the other eye!

Heathcare is next

I am fast realizing that obama says one thing and does exactly the opposite. He believes the people are stupid enough to keep believing him! They aren't...at least the large majority of folks aren't.

"Would you like to find out you have breast cancer and then have to wait 8 weeks for a loved one to get treatment like in Canada,England and Europe...

That is what will happen if we don't stop the Health Care Plan not to mention how many people will die while ona waiting list for health care..."

Heathcare is next

Lucien,

Thank you for that well organized discussion. Especially love your conclusion - this bill must be stopped. :)

Steve

David,

Thank you for your support and thank you for the link to Anthony Martin's article. People are approaching this from different perspectives, but in the end, the conclusion is always the same - this bill is bad and needs to be stopped. :)

Steve

Annetta,

Well said. We will have to look for new careers because few of us will recognize the real estate business of the future or want to be a part of it. :)

Steve

Lyn,

Mainstream media only is impressed with the fact that bill purports to be about "environment" and "energy." That's all they need to know. The details don't concern them. :)

Steve

Jon,

Great argument. Thank you. This 1300 page bill should probably be about 1000-1300 separate bills of 1-2 pages in length. Those we could understand - and so maybe could they. At least they could read each one. :)

Steve

Dan,

At this point it's only amusing - even though it's halfway on its way to becoming law. Now the real work begins to stop it cold. :)

Steve

WHAT TO DO??? First let me say I have no love for this President or Congress or for that matter the NAR. However, I find myself conflicted in the fact that I specialize as a Ecco Green Realtor. I am also a District Mgr for a Leed Certified Green Build Smart Panel Home Manufacturer who also specializes in Green build technologies to Retro-Fit older homes. With that said, however, I am totally against any bill or law that's designed to take away my Freedom of choice. Which is exactly what this President and the liberals in congress want to do. My voice and opinion has already been heard. I advise everyone here to do the same. While your at it-find a few good CONSERVATIVES to vote for in the upcoming congressional election, so we can stop all this madness!!

Scott,

It seems no one is sure of NAR's position - which is quite telling in itself. Stop the bill. We'll unload the deadwood after the fact. :)

Steve

Annetta,

Again you raise some great points. It's the old misdirection play. Point one way and then do something different. :)

Steve

Joseph,

All good questions. This bill is laden with ambiguities and language that begs for even more regulationa and laws to create and enforce its provisions. Think of this monstrous bill as a skeleton that will require thousands and thousands of even more pages to clarify it. :)

Steve

Steve...and to think those on the hill don't even take the time to read these bills. Maybe there's 1000 pages the same in all these demands proposals. GROAN!!!!!

Gene,

I really like your comments. They could be a post as it is. Not sure if the phone calls help - but they can't hurt. The Senators are our main focus now for defeating the bill - and then we can focus on the Reps who voted for it to defeat them in 2010 - maybe even in the primaries so there is no doubt they messed up. :)

Steve

Amy,

Thanks for your comments and especially that insight into the Heritage Foundation. This country was founded on 3 distinct branches of government - separation of powers and checks and balances. When the Speaker "has to pass" the President's plan - and in a couple of days - because it's too important not to, she just condensed our government into 2 branches. :)

Steve

Jerry,

No one who has commented knows for sure NAR's position, and we've heard arguments like this that they may have in fact endorsed this legislation. I hope this is not true. I'll leave it at for now until I hear more. :)

Steve

Paula,

Not only that, I heard the President yesterday mention how well the economy in California had been doing. :)

Steve

Donald,

Well said. It's time those of us who are normally silent in such matters assert ourselves. :)

Steve

Barbara,

Thank you for those excellent comments - duty to speak out - love it. Use our voice or lose it - great stuff. :)

Steve

Georgia,

Great comments. NAR appears to be failing their membership - if for nothing else than not making their position clear, If they did actually support this ... :)

Steve

Jo,

We have the ultimate power despite what those old hangers-on in Congress think. In today's instant communication age, they just aren't prepared for us to know everything they're doing. Time is perfect for a major overall in personnel. :)

Steve

Lou,

I agree that it great to see so many people responding to this. I'm impressed and a little amazed. The House has already rammed this through. Now we have to stop it in the Senate. :)

Steve

WOW....why isn't NAR and all the builders association SCREAMING about this! I better go check the NAR site to see if there is a "Call to Action" about this??

Derek,

Yes we always have the repeal process - but that's a little like hoping for a victory in overtime. Let's just win the game during regulation and defeat it in the Senate. :)

Steve

Georgia,

Why would we expect mainstream media to report on this? They might actually gain some credibility. :)

Steve

Jackie,

Thanks. All of us would had trouble getting the final copy of this bill because the Reps themselves didn't even have it. :)

Steve

Jill,

Welcome to the magic of politics where it's very easy for some to say one thing and do another. :)

Steve

Chuck,

The only thing that counts right now is stopping this bill. Then we can address other issues. :)

Steve

Mary,

Thank you for those great comments. We keep getting more and more agreemnt on stopping this, so let's do it. :)

Steve

Karl,

Thank you for your very kind words. Government isn't going to have any great revelations on their own - that's our job to educate them. :)

Steve

Georgia,

Appreciate those additional comments. Let's get this cap and trade nonsense stopped first. Then we can look at other issues. :)

Steve

Matt,

Thank you. I appreciate your professional position, and you want to continue to provide these services to the people who want them. As you said, it's a matter of choice. And I'm with you on the conservatives! :)

Steve

Gail,

I can't help but think of all the people who had to type all those pages - and in less than a week. :)

Steve

Steve,

Thanks for the informative post. Things are changing so quickly in our industry that it's hard to stay on top of all of the issues, yet it's so important that we do.

Christine,

Again, don't know anything about NAR's position. The NAHB did issue a "Legislative Alert" last week but many members did not see it. :)

Steve

I have read Steve's blog and the comments about CAT and what seems to be missing is what you all will do about global warming, this nations's abysmal energy consumption and how you would pay for it. I hear complaining about President Obama. Ok. I spent eight years complaining about George W. Bush. I read comments about too much regulation. It actually appears that a lack of regulation on Wall Street and Hedge Funds was a major part of our financial debacle.

This country is the world's largest energy consumer. United States energy consumption by sector falls out to about 33% for Industrial, 28% for Transportation, 21% for Residential and 17% Commercial. Each one of those consuming sectors has Lobbyist and Lawyers ready to pounce on any piece of state or federal legislation that might be drafted. As polar ice caps melt and weather patterns change causing increasing drought conditions throughout the globe, just how do we feed ourselves?

Here in California we are in the third year of a long drought season. What does it matter? Ask the Central Valley agriculture interests. The Central Valley of California is the state's bread basket. Produce from that area alone is shipped to all parts of this country. What happens if we have three more drought years?

This nation and this global community must address the issue of global warming now. I want my grand-children to have food on their plates and the security of a safe environment. We, this nation and the others, spent generations creating this environmental mess we are in and it will take sacrifice on all our parts to repair it. Will it cost each of us? More than likely. Will the way we all do business change? Most definitely.

So you don't like CAT? Then what is your response to this looming environmental, social and economic disaster that is upon us? You don't like tax increases? Well, either do I. I cuss every time another weapon system is paid for that ran over budget by 127% and the Pentagon kept saying it didn't need or want. I wasn't dancing for joy while George W. Bush got us into a war in Iraq that cost this nation thousands of brave service men and women...including those from my family. I most certainly didn't like the massive debt he rang up during his eight years?

With all do respect to each of you who commented: What would you do about global warming and our wasteful energy consumption? You don't like CAT? Ok. Fine. I hear that. Now tell me your solution to the problem, please.

Tonda and Steve,

This bill is a game changer. If you think things have been changing, hold on. This could be the big one. :)

Steve