Cap And Trade Will Change The Way Homes Are Sold

Katerina,

I don't think Andrew benefits financially from wanting to protect the environment; if he lives sustainably, it probably costs him more money. The truth is that we don't pay the actual cost for what we consume. Producing our food, our big "toys", our houses, our heat, electricity, etc. has environmental and social costs we haven't been paying since the industrial age, and it's catching up with us.

We humans are trashing God's most beautiful creation - our planet, our home that He made beautiful and pure just for us so that we could breathe, drink, and eat. We want to buy more "stuff" more cheaply, and we continue to feed the boundless greed of corporations and those who run them, but we do so at the expense of our habitat - our air, our water, and even our food supply. As a species, we are arrogant and selfish. Precautions and protections? God all but wiped out humanity before.

The French may very well raise the best vegetables (I'm from there originally and my family still lives in France), but they do need and use pesticides. And since you have done your due diligence, I'd like you to educate all of us on how the French use that carbon to grow better vegetation. I'm very curious about that and would love to apply those methods in my own vegetable garden. And while we're talking about the wonderful things the French do, let's consider the fact that they drive tiny cars on their narrow streets - not Hummers. They also pay about $6 per gallon for gasoline. They have government-run medical care and social benefits for all, including nearly free excellent college education.

Now let's talk about the 31,000+ "scientists" from the petition again. As I said in a previous post, the group of 31,000+ “scientists” includes people who have no background in climate science. You can find them here: http://www.petitionproject.org/qualifications_of_signers.php They haven't proved anything; they wrote their names on a petition - hardly a proof that global climate change isn't happening. Now if we count everyone worldwide, or even just in the US, who has some sort of degree in science, 31,000 is a very tiny number. Secondly, someone with a bachelor's degree in science isn't educated or trained enough to prove anything. And those who are MD's and DVM's, mathematicians, engineers aren't trained in areas that would qualify them to prove anything about climate change. Hopefully my MD works on human bodies, continues to educate himself in medicine, and isn't distracted with side projects that require a Ph.D. in atmospheric science and are peer-reviewed by other Ph.D scientists who have the proper expertise.

The sheer number of comments on this post shows that there are two opposing views on the subject of global climate change. Many of the people who commented believe that one of those views is right and the other isn't. If we err, let's err on the side of safety.  Let's act preemptively.  And let's hope that over a billion people in China and another billion in India don't all decide that they should be able to drive Hummers too :-)

Steve, with all  due respect, the framers of our Constitution had no idea what Cap and Trade was.  They had no idea we would land men on the moon.  They had no concept of a world shrinking to the size of a dot-and-a-com.

The true brilliance of the framers of The Constitution rests in their collective ability to craft a document that is able to change and adapt to new times and new ideas.  No freedoms are lost.  They expand and are cast anew upon the waters.  Each word, thoughtfully and painstakingly placed, to give it life...not stagnation.

Change is inevitable.  Change to the way we do real estate is inevitable.  Change to the way we waste valuable natural resources is inevitable.  Those that fear change...those that deny change will...not make it.

The Free Market is Natural Selection at its mightiest.  It isn't fair and it isn't always clean and tidy.  The old ways of doing real estate, doing business, doing life are changing.  They've been changing since the First of Days, Genesis, The Big Bang...whatever your belief system.  You, me and all the others have a choice...embrace change or be left behind to wonder what happened. 

Steve, I disagree with your blog on CAT but will always defend your right to be soooooooooooooo wrong.   

Sylvie, I think my man-crush and your enviromental crush scared Andrew away!

Scott,

So how are your going to sell real estate if this CAT is passed?  What's going to change the way you work? How are you going to sell older homes?  I don't see that you will be able to...so with all due respect can you elaborate.

Karen

Hi Steve

You have had an outstanding response to your post. 

At this point in time we still enjoy the freedom of speech in the country and the readers are expressing their prospective to the bill and that's outstanding.

What's very important about the Cap and Trade is the bill has to be read in its entirety to understand the impact of the bill on the country and the people. There are bits and pieces of the bill that inter acts with other parts of the bill. So we can't relay on a sentence or a paragraph to understand the bill. 

What I'm so concerned about was Washington voted on a bill without reading it and fully understanding the bill and how the bill impacts the country. 

I can tell you I made the calls to Washington and at best get the run around by many of our representatives.

The Cap and Trade Bill will have a negitive affect on the country and the people. 

Please read the bill and form your option. 

Good luck and success.

Lou Ludwig

Steve - yes, we all went way off topic.  You might recall that I'm not the one who dragged God and the French into this discussion.  And since I'm a "scientist" / mathematician / environmental engineer who was born in and grew up with the French culture...well, how could I resist commenting?  The temptation was too great. You must have known you opened Pandora's box when you wrote your blog.

Even if I disagree with some, I don't think any of the people who have participated in this discussion want to trash the planet. And even if this probably isn't the right place to get into these discussions, I think it's good to have them and, hopefully, listen to each other respectfully and be willing to admit to being wrong based on actual evidence presented by people who have the proper training. We should always consider the source of information, and use the brain God gave us to think rationally and question not only the opposing side of issues, but also our own side. Some of us are more willing to do that than others.

I think we both come to the same conclusion about CAT but for extremely different reasons. You wouldn't like mine, but it doesn't matter.

Here in San Antonio I see home-buyers, builders, and investors "greening up." As investors gentrify old neighborhoods, they're introducing environmentally-friendly features into those old homes and, therefore, make them more attractive and valuable.  People are going green voluntarily here, and I like that.

Scott - Andrew must be busy selling real estate!  Speaking of which...  A bientot.

FOX news is now reporting issues with the CAT situation as well. 

Really Steve,  I don't even think those that represent us even understand the ramifications of this bill.

Is there a Realtor, NAR, or anyone who can explain this to the President around in Washington...I doubt it.

Steve, I think you should forward your post and the comments to the White House....

Steve

Re-focusing as you suggest.

"Bad for Real Estate"...is that the only filter through which you judge the merit of any public policy?...Dont tell me you are one of those single issue, litmus test knid of guys.  Thats a  little self centered and short sighted. And Wrong! 

Real estate will still exist, and some measure of private property rights will still exist. And , I think, consultants and sales people will still be needed to help folks navigate through the laws and regulations that apply.  The problem is, of course, that as our business becomes more complex we will have to keep up or drop out. Some might see that as a problem; I dont.

Steve

Im afraid some measure of private property roghts going to have to do.....

You are, I bet, not free to build a high rise or a gas station, in your neighborhood, Id also bet that you cant keep a cow or a pig or a rooster as a pet. Can you park your 18 wheeler in the back yard?  Zoning laws, public healh laws etc  all compromise our private property rights for the common good. That's part of  the price we pay to be part of a civilized society. 

Steve,

I sent you 2 emails re: your training class.  I can see how it may have gotten lost in all these comments you are getting from this post.

Congrats and thanks for bringing it to everyones attention.

Great, thanks.