For balance and accuracy, there is talk on the left and the right about more antitrust action. As MHProNews previously reported, and has since reminded readers, White House Resident Joe Biden^{1, 2} made some potent and at least superficially accurate anti-competitive antitrust comments last year, linked here and here. That noted, GOP Senate Candidate Josh Mandel laid out some tough talk in an exclusive SiriusXM Breitbart News Daily (BDN) interview posted and quoted below.

 

 

Per Breitbart, ““Big Tech oligarchs” such as Mark Zuckerberg should be criminally pursued to stop large technology companies’ anti-competitive conduct, Josh Mandel, a Republican candidate running for election to the U.S. Senate to represent Ohio, said on Friday’s edition of SiriusXM’s Breitbart News Daily with host Alex Marlow.”

“You’ve got to go after them criminally because they don’t care about paying fines,” Mandel remarked. “For them, it’s just a cost of doing business, but you see what’s going on with Zuckerberg, right now — the fact that he might have tripped Wisconsin bribery laws with the 400-plus million that he spread around the country.”

He continued, “When they violate any criminal laws, they need to be investigated and prosecuted aggressively because that is, at the end of the day, the only thing that will make them wake up and make them listen and make them change their behavior.”

The U.S. must “take on these Big Tech oligarchs and thugs,” he added.

He went on, “I think part of the strategy needs to be just to attack their absolute power from 100 angles at once. It’s like blitzkrieg, and they won’t know where it’s coming from. We’ve got to attack from different angles simultaneously all at once.”

Big tech such as Facebook and Google should not continue to benefit from liability exemptions provided by Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, Mandel stated. 

“We need to push removing their immunity and exemption from liability in Section 230 and on either code, any other parts of the code, there’s no reason whatsoever that they should have any immunity or exemption from liability.”

Transparency — so the taxpayers can see how the money’s being spent. pic.twitter.com/a335TivWh6

— Josh Mandel (@JoshMandelOhio) March 7, 2022

 

Additional Information, More MHProNews Analysis and Commentary in Brief

MHProNews has in recent years pressed the need for antitrust action to liberate the manufactured housing industry from its over twenty-year malaise. There is a strong case that’s been made that this is caused by a combination of external and internal challenges, which in several instances appear to have a nexus of market manipulation by nonprofits in concert with certain federal officials.  Who says? Credible voices such as Minneapolis Federal Reserve researchers such as James A. “Jim” Schmitz Jr. and his colleagues.

So too has affordable housing and manufactured home advocate Doug Ryan before CFED rebranded as Prosperity Now.

Two sources have told MHProNews that a large staff meeting with the Trump DoJ’s antitrust division to discuss antitrust action in manufactured housing. There has been apparent quiet on that since the Biden regime has taken over, but that by itself is not necessarily conclusive.

On the Democratic side, the following lawmakers asked federal officials to investigate Clayton Homes over antitrust and predatory lending concerns.

Beyond Biden, and those noted herein, several Senate Democrats as well as Senate Republicans have been talking about the need for robust antitrust action. Biden recently doubled down on a similar comment to the one cited below.

Perhaps the most comprehensive outsider looking into manufactured housing, Samuel “Sam” Strommen for Knudson Law, laid out the case for antitrust action that includes stripping the Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI) of any claims for Noerr protections.

Ironically, Warren Buffett led Berkshire’s man Kevin Clayton has himself explained how this monopolization is being deployed under the colloquial phrase “the moat.”

With those background insights, and to Mandel’s point, a reminder for longtime readers and stated for the sake of new readers, here is what the Sherman Act provides for, per Cornell University’s law website.

15 U.S. Code § 1 – Trusts, etc., in restraint of trade illegal; penalty

“Every contract, combination in the form of trust or otherwise, or conspiracy, in restraint of trade or commerce among the several States, or with foreign nations, is declared to be illegal. Every person who shall make any contract or engage in any combination or conspiracy hereby declared to be illegal shall be deemed guilty of a felony, and, on conviction thereof, shall be punished by fine not exceeding $100,000,000 if a corporation, or, if any other person, $1,000,000, or by imprisonment not exceeding 10 years, or by both said punishments, in the discretion of the court.”

Also per Cornell’s legal site, “The word “person” or “persons” wherever used in this Act shall be deemed to include corporations and associations existing under or authorized by the laws of either the United States, the laws of any of the Territories, the laws of any State, or the laws of any foreign country.”

Then, there is this.

“(a)

“Antitrust laws,” as used herein, includes the Act entitled “An Act to protect trade and commerce against unlawful restraints and monopolies,” approved July second, eighteen hundred and ninety; sections seventy-three to seventy-six, inclusive, of an Act entitled “An Act to reduce taxation, to provide revenue for the Government, and for other purposes,” of August twenty-seventh, eighteen hundred and ninety-four; an Act entitled “An Act to amend sections seventy-three and seventy-six of the Act of August twenty-seventh, eighteen hundred and ninety-four, entitled ‘An Act to reduce taxation, to provide revenue for the Government, and for other purposes,’ ” approved February twelfth, nineteen hundred and thirteen; and also this Act.

“Commerce,” as used herein, means trade or commerce among the several States and with foreign nations, or between the District of Columbia or any Territory of the United States and any State, Territory, or foreign nation, or between any insular possessions or other places under the jurisdiction of the United States, or between any such possession or place and any State or Territory of the United States or the District of Columbia or any foreign nation, or within the District of Columbia or any Territory or any insular possession or other place under the jurisdiction of the United States: Provided, That nothing in this Act contained shall apply to the Philippine Islands. ”

There are ample examples of aspects of restraints of trade and other prohibited activities may be occurring in MHVille. See the reports linked below. Each of those reports link to others, which apparently creates the most comprehensive research compiled by any publication anywhere on purported antitrust violations in manufactured housing.

https://www.fhfa.gov/Media/Documents/Kovach-statement.pdf

There is another related legal development on this antitrust front. MHProNews plans to explore that for our readers in the near term. Stay tuned. ##

Clayton-21st Storm Watch – Sinatra’s Summer Wind Blows Early? – Manufactured Housing Moat Breach – Manufactured Home Values Increasing Faster than Site-Built – Case for Something New in 2022

Hundreds of Local Papers Suing Facebook-Google Alleged Ad Monopoly – Tampa Free Press; Implications for Clayton Homes, Manufactured Housing Institute, MHI Members Explored; plus, MHMarket Update

Next up is our daily business news recap of yesterday evening’s market report, related left-right headlines, and manufactured housing connected equities.

The Business Daily Manufactured Home Industry Connected Stock Market Updates.  Plus, Market Moving Left leaning CNN and Right-leaning (Newsmax) Headlines Snapshot. While the layout of this daily business report has been evolving over time, several elements of the basic concepts used previously are still the same. For instance. The headlines that follow below can be reviewed at a glance to save time while providing insights across the left-right media divide. Additionally, those headlines often provide clues as to possible ‘market-moving’ news items.

 

Market Indicator Closing Summaries – Yahoo Finance Closing Tickers on MHProNews…

Headlines from left-of-center CNN Business – from the evening of 3.7.2022

• Gas near a record
• A Lukoil gas station attendant pumps gas in a customer's car on March 04, 2022 in the Canarsie neighborhood of Brooklyn in New York City.
• Russia’s war on Ukraine has driven up prices at the pump by 15% since the conflict began
• LIVE UPDATES Dow tumbles almost 600 points as Russia fears persist
• Cybersecurity: A rare bright spot in the stock market may be set to fizzle out
• Oil: It’s up 60% this year. How high can prices go?
• Iran: Its ally Russia may spoil nuclear talks to keep oil price high
• Growing momentum: The push to ban Russian oil is gaining steam. Here’s what that means for US energy prices
• WeWork: Says it is finalizing plans to divest its Russia operations
• Tech: Netflix quits Russia and TikTok won’t allow new posts
• Cash: Dollar rises to highest level since spring 2020 as war in Ukraine transforms the global economy
• Vodka: Stolichnaya maker announces rebrand
• Bars: Owners are swapping out Moscow Mules for Kyiv Mules
• New York: The Russian Tea Room — which isn’t Russian — suffers as Ukraine invasion escalates
• Watch: What this former Russian tycoon has to say about Putin
• Lukoil: Russia’s second biggest oil company calls for an end to Putin’s war
• Fallout: Russia’s answer to Google warns it may not be able to pay its debts
• Watch: Inside the 280-foot yacht seized by the French government
• LATEST HEADLINES
• A customer carries a Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. shopping bag outside a store in Clarksville, Indiana, U.S., on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2020.
• The man behind GameStop mania is coming for Bed Bath & Beyond
• Activists pushed the IRS to drop facial recognition. They won, but they’re not done yet
• Home prices could soar another 20% this year, but Black families are struggling to benefit
• How attempts to get rid of coupons backfired
• Congrats on your first job! Here’s what you need to know about your 401(k)
• ‘The Batman’ soars to a big box office opening
• What to expect at Apple’s first product event of the year
• Best Buy founder: What every US college should teach their students
• Native Americans have a soaring high jobless rate
• The surprising reason perfume prices are skyrocketing
• This Toyota just sold for $2.5 million
• How to manage your money amid global unrest
• 400 Family Dollar stores closed after a rat infestation. It’s part of a troubling pattern
• This man discovered space junk is headed for the moon
• Serena Williams is investing in diversity
• JOB MARKET
• A customer walks behind a sign at a Nordstrom store seeking employees in Coral Gables, Florida, May 21, 2021.
• America added 678,000 jobs in February, smashing forecasts
• The US will now break out jobs data for Native Americans
• Romans breaks down new job numbers in February
• Target boosts some starting pay to $24 an hour
• Child care worker shortage strands half a million families
• OIL AND GAS
• An oil pumpjack (C) operates as another (R) stands idle in the Inglewood Oil Field on January 28, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.
• More oil supply could stop price spikes. But US producers won’t fill that gap
• Average US gas price soars above $4 nationwide
• Exxon is quitting its last Russian project
• Shell follows BP out of Russia
• What is the SPR, and how could it fight Russia?

Headlines from right-of-center Newsmax – evening of 3.7.2022

• Biden Threatens to Blacklist Firms That Ignore Sanctions
• The U.S. Department of Commerce, which oversees export controls, is mobilizing staff around the globe to halt illicit shipments of computers, aircraft parts, marine equipment and other technology to Russia, partnering with allied countries and U.S. law enforcement agencies like the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security to crack down on the newly illegal trade, according to U.S. officials. [Full Story]
• Russian Invasion of Ukraine
• In Appeal to Jews, Zelenskyy Hits Russia’s ‘Nazi’ Acts
• Russia Warns West of $300-a-Barrel Oil, Cuts to EU Gas Supply
• Zelenskyy: Putin Living in ‘Bubble Without Oxygen’
• US Gathering Evidence in War Crimes Probe of Russia
• Biden May Blacklist Firms That Ignore Sanctions
• US May Go It Alone on Banning Russian Oil Imports: Sources
• Zelenskyy Wins Ronald Reagan Freedom Award
• Peskov: Russia Will Stop ‘in a Moment’ If Ukraine Meets Terms
• Russia Could Work Around SWIFT Ban – But With High Costs
• Ukraine: Russia ‘Humanitarian Corridors’ an ‘Immoral’ Stunt
• UN Says Refugee Numbers Surge to 1.7M
• Blinken: US, Europe Mulling Bans on Russian Oil Imports
• EU Asks UN Watchdog to Safeguard Ukraine’s Nuclear Plants
• More Russian Invasion of Ukraine
• Newsmax TV
• Israeli Ambassador: ‘Shameful’ to Negotiate Iran Nuke Deal | video
• John Bolton: Peace Talks Won’t Lead to Ukraine Compromise
• Ukraine MP: ‘There Is No Cease-Fire’ | video
• Chang: China ‘All-in on Supporting Killing in Ukraine’ | video
• Carla Spalding: Biden Admin. ‘Biggest Threat’ to US | video
• John Bolton: Putin Disregarded Biden’s Threats After Afghanistan Failure | video
• Survival Expert: Always Be Prepared for Worst Case
• Marshall: Graham Putin Tweet ‘Bridge Too Far’ | video
• Ukrainian MP: ‘We Don’t Need Your Pilots,’ We Need Planes | video
• More Newsmax TV
• Newsfront
• Florida to Recommend Against COVID Vaccines for Healthy Kids
• Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo said Monday that the state will formally recommend against COVID-19 vaccinations for healthy children…. [Full Story]
• Biden Threatens to Blacklist Companies That Ignore Russia Sanctions
• The Biden administration is threatening to add companies to a trade [Full Story]
• US to Monitor Space Between Earth, Moon, and Beyond
• The U.S. military will monitor the space between the Earth and the [Full Story]
• Biden Choosing ‘Silly Climate Fantasies’ Over Energy Independence
• In a bid to stop buying oil from Russia and put the financial squeeze [Full Story] | Platinum Article
• US Releases More Oil From Strategic Reserve
• The U.S. Department of Energy has approved another exchange of 2.7 [Full Story]
• US Gathering Evidence in War Crimes Probe of Russia
• S. officials have begun gathering information to help determine [Full Story]
• Biden Blundering Toward Nuclear War That US Isn’t Prepared For
• President Joe Biden’s first State of the Union address to Congress [Full Story] | Platinum Article
• High Court Narrows Reach of Law Targeting Career Criminals
• The Supreme Court on Monday narrowed the reach of a federal law that [Full Story]
• Rick Scott: Give Ukraine All It Needs and Try Putin for War Crimes
• The United States must give Ukraine everything it can to defend [Full Story] | video
• Marshall Calls on Biden to Ban Russian Oil Imports
• Roger Marshall, R-Kan., called on President Joe Biden to “admit [Full Story]
• Box of Human Heads Stolen From Truck
• A box of human heads has been stolen from a truck in Denver, [Full Story]
• US Willing to Go It Alone on Banning Russian Oil Imports: Sources
• The Biden administration is willing to move ahead with a ban on [Full Story]
• US Supreme Court Nixes Bid to Reinstate Bill Cosby’s Conviction
• Bill Cosby avoided renewed legal jeopardy on Monday when the U.S. [Full Story]
• Trump Slams Former AG Barr in Letter to NBC News
• Former President Donald Trump ripped ex-Attorney General Bill Barr in [Full Story]
• Oil Price Spikes to $139 on Talks About Russia Oil Ban, Iran Deal
• Oil prices spiked to their highest levels since 2008 on Monday amid [Full Story]
• Death Toll Surpasses 6M for Pandemic Now in 3rd Year
• The official global death toll from COVID-19 eclipsed 6 million on [Full Story]
• Cotton: Reagan, Trump Share Common Roots in GOP
• Those who insist that the Republican Party must choose a path that [Full Story]
• Oksana Baiul Leads Move to Rescue Ukrainian Athletes
• Fearing assassination of athletes in Ukraine, the first Ukrainian [Full Story]
• ‘People’s Convoy’ Truck Protest Drives Laps around Washington
• Hundreds of trucks, recreational vehicles and cars were circling the [Full Story]
• Gas Tops $4 per Gallon Average – First Time Since 2008
• The price of regular gasoline broke $4 per gallon (3.8 liters) on [Full Story]
• Related
• Gold Crosses $2,000-Mark, Palladium at Record High on Ukraine Crisis
• Russian Oligarch Among New York Gov. Hochul’s Top Donors
• Campaign records show that one of New York Gov. Kathy Hochul’s top [Full Story]
• Putin, Rotenberg Removed From All Positions on Judo’s Governing Body
• Russian President Vladimir Putin and a Russian businessman have been [Full Story]
• Macron Keeps an Open Line to Putin as War in Ukraine Rages
• While most of the world is shunning President Vladimir Putin over [Full Story]
• Hong Kong Seeing Huge Talent Drain as Virus Chaos, China Repression Forces Citizens to Flee
• For the last eight years Mathilde and her family have called Hong [Full Story]
• Joint Base Andrews on Lockdown Due to Reports of Security Breach
• Two intruders reportedly drove through a security checkpoint at Joint [Full Story]
• Ukraine and Russia to Face Off at World Court Over Genocide Claim
• Ukraine will ask the United Nations’ top court on Monday to issue an [Full Story]
• US, Venezuela Discuss Easing of Sanctions, Make Little Progress
• S. and Venezuelan officials discussed the possibility of easing oil [Full Story]
• Blinken: US, Europe Mulling Bans on Russian Oil Imports
• The United States said Sunday it was in “active discussions” with [Full Story]
• Pravda: ‘World Just Does Not Support the West’ Against Russia
• ru, a newspaper that was formed after the split of the Soviet [Full Story]
• Pelosi: Congress to ‘Explore’ Oil Ban, Enact $10B in Ukraine Aid
• S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Sunday said the [Full Story]
• Kamala Harris Marks ‘Bloody Sunday’ Anniversary in Selma
• Vice President Kamala Harris visited Selma, Alabama on Sunday to [Full Story]
• Finance
• Inflation to Heat Up Further as Ukraine War Intensifies
• Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has dashed any hope U.S. consumers might have had for relief from sky-rocketing costs, with prices at the gas pump in the last week surging by the most in nearly 17 years and prices for other goods like food ready to march higher as well…. [Full Story]
• Russia Warns West of $300-a-Barrel Oil, Cuts to EU Gas Supply
• Gas Rises Again on Talk of Banning Russian Oil
• OPEC Disavows Control Over Surging Energy Prices
• With Oil Market in Turmoil, Energy Execs Urge for More Output
• More Finance
• Health
• More Than 90 Percent of US Population Can Go Without Masks: CDC
• The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Thursday said some 93% of the U.S. population live in locations where COVID-19 levels are low enough that people do not need to wear masks indoors. On Friday, the CDC dramatically eased its COVID-19 guidelines for…… [Full Story]
• Scientists Identify New Gene Differences in Severe COVID Patients
• Height Affects Risk for Colon Cancer
• Vaping Linked to Increased Risk for Diabetes
• 6 Natural ACE Inhibitors That Lower Blood Pressure

 

MHProNews has pioneered in our profession several reporting elements that keep our regular and attentive readers as arguably the best informed in the manufactured housing industry. Among the items shared after ‘every business day’ (when markets are open) is our left-right headline recap summary. At a glance in two to three minutes, key ‘market moving’ news items are covered from left-of-center CNN Business and right-of-center Newsmax. “We Provide, You Decide.” ^© Additionally, MHProNews provides expert commentary and analysis on the issues that others can’t or won’t cover that help explain why manufactured housing has been underperforming during the Berkshire era while an affordable housing crisis and hundreds of thousands of homeless in America rages on. These are “Industry News, Tips, and Views Pros Can Use” ^© features and others made and kept us the runaway #1 in manufactured housing trade publisher for a dozen years and counting. 

 

Manufactured Housing Industry Investments Connected Equities Closing Tickers

Some of these firms invest in manufactured housing, or are otherwise connected, but may do other forms of investing or business activities too.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • NOTE: The chart below includes the Canadian stock, ECN, which purchased Triad Financial Services, a manufactured home industry lender
                          • NOTE: Drew changed its name and trading symbol at the end of 2016 to Lippert (LCII).
                          • NOTE: Deer Valley was largely taken private, say company insiders in a message to MHProNews on 12.15.2020, but there are still some outstanding shares of  the stock from the days when it was a publicly traded firm.  Thus, there is still periodic activity on DVLY.

Manufactured Home Communities (a.k.a. ‘Mobile Home Parks’ – SIC) – Exploring UMH Properties; Fellow Manufactured Housing Institute Member Yes! Communities Suits and Settlements; plus MH Markets Updates

Clayton-21st Storm Watch – Sinatra’s Summer Wind Blows Early? – Manufactured Housing Moat Breach – Manufactured Home Values Increasing Faster than Site-Built – Case for Something New in 2022

• 

  

  

  • 2022 …Berkshire Hathaway is the parent company to Clayton Homes, 21^st Mortgage, Vanderbilt Mortgage and other factory-built housing industry suppliers.
    · LCI Industries, Patrick, UFPI, and LP each are suppliers to the manufactured housing industry, among others.
    · AMG, CG, and TAVFX have investments in manufactured housing related businesses. For insights from third-parties and clients about our publisher, click here.
    Enjoy these ‘blast from the past’ comments. MHProNews. MHProNews – previously a.k.a. MHMSM.com – has celebrated our 11th year of publishing and have completed over a dozen years of serving the industry as the runaway most-read trade media.

Sample Kudos over the years…

It is now 12+ years and counting…

Learn more about our evolutionary journey as the industry’s leading trade media, at the report linked below.

· For expert manufactured housing business development or other professional services, click here.
· To sign up in seconds for our industry leading emailed headline news updates, click here.

Disclosure. MHProNews holds no positions in the stocks in this report.

That’s a wrap on this installment of “News Through the Lens of Manufactured Homes and Factory-Built Housing” © where “We Provide, You Decide.” © (Affordable housing, manufactured homes, stock, investing, data, metrics, reports, fact-checks, analysis, and commentary. Third-party images or content are provided under fair use guidelines for media.) (See Related Reports, further below. Text/image boxes often are hot-linked to other reports that can be access by clicking on them.)

By L.A. “Tony” Kovach – for MHProNews.
Tony earned a journalism scholarship along with numerous awards in history. There have been several awards and honors and also recognition in manufactured housing. For example, he earned the prestigious Lottinville Award in history from the University of Oklahoma, where he studied history and business management. He’s a managing member and co-founder of LifeStyle Factory Homes, LLC, the parent company to MHProNews, and MHLivingNews.com. This article reflects the LLC’s and/or the writer’s position and may or may not reflect the views of sponsors or supporters.