Stating the Obvious for clarity. It’s complex world, where the agendas are often hidden or disguised. It isn’t always easy to know the truth on a subject. In manufactured housing, that’s also the reality. Knowing the truth can be challenging.
We’ll get to the he headline later, but for now, please let me note the following.
We love:
- this industry,
- family, faith, flag, and free enterprise (if my wife is reading this, not necessarily in that order of importance).
We are pro-success, done ethically. Because we believe in a Supreme Authority, our values ideally are guided and enlightened by those ultimate truths. Having laid out our principles in often detailed statements before, let’s jump beyond that to the topic for today.
The Smear
One popular example from the left of “the smear” is to call whoever opposes them “a racist.” It’s been used for so long, it ought to be worn out by now. The right can use Smear tactics too.
The reason Smear Tactics can still be effective is because millions are too busy, to distracted by work, family, friends, sports, drink, drugs, sex, the tube, social media, or whatever else.
But today, there are other media options beyond the mainstream media.
This publication seeks to serves what is good and the truth as it is known and understood to be.
We have in the past given the benefit of the doubt to certain voices, until the doubt has been removed by a long preponderance of evidence carefully examined, and shared with you, the Industry’s:
- Owners, executives, managers, and rising stars,
- Investors,
- Political operatives and elected officials,
- Mainstream media,
- Researchers, educators and political officials.
Some in MHLand:
- have egos the size of Texas,
- blow with the wind,
- will kiss any ugly -ss for a dollar,
- just don’t know,
- are into their habits so deeply, they don’t see reality, etc.
During the 2016 campaign, Warren Buffett said he supported what
Sec. Hillary Clinton supported. That’s why he backed Clinton.
Sec. Clinton supported Dodd-Frank and the CFPB.
Do you see the disconnect between MHI’s stated
position on CFPB and Preserving Access,
and what Warren Buffett said several times?
But a number of others have no choice for economic reasons have to play the MHI game, but they don’t like what is going on, and help inform us all they can.
Those later sources often provide priceless insights. Thank you, one and all.
Then, there are straight up supporters or those who are allied through mostly common visions or interests.
Quick History – Conspiracy Theories and Reality
James Watt was the Secretary of the Interior Department, under President Ronald Reagan.
He was known as a pithy comments and quote machine. He has several interesting insights you can find on those quotable quotes websites, or Wikipedia.
But the following quote of Watt’s I can’t find anywhere online, so I was not able to verify it precisely. It goes something like this.
‘I don’t believe in what are commonly known as conspiracy theories. What I do believe in are people with common interests, acting in ways that benefit their common interests and that therefor look to be conspiratorial.’ – James Watt, former Secretary of the Interior.
That was so powerful, it has long stuck with me. Does it apply to manufactured housing? “We Provide, You Decide.” ©
“Conspiracy” Hiding in Plain Sight?
Set against the James Watt point that people with common interest often behave in ways that align with those interests – thus appearing to be conspiratorial – let’s note the following.
If you or I are accused or questioned about something that’s demonstrably not true,
the normal person simply disproves the allegation, and moves on.
Correct?
So, if the Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI) and the powers-that-be behind MHI can readily disprove the array of questions and concerns about their favoritism and performance, why don’t they do so?
Isn’t it likely they are ducking out precisely because the accusations are true? Because they have no good come-back?
The Truth is Hiding in Plain Sight
- Pam Danner
- Lois Starkey
- Duty to Serve (DTS) (FHFA/GSEs)
- CFPB and Preserving Access to Manufactured Housing Act – Opportunities Missed
- Monopolistic Practices that use Heavy Regulations to Force more Consolidations
- Manufactured Housing Improvement Act of 2000 (MHIA 2000) and enhanced preemption
- Racism and Steering
- Not Defending the Industry and its Image, etc., etc.
These are just some of the issues that have arisen or been spotlighted in roughly the last two two years.
Some date back further, such as a column in 2014 that spotlighted the high cost – and risks to the industry – from low volumes of new home sales. That risk to independents is hitting the industry again now, in the growing FEMA fiasco.
Insider Sources
We have used a combination of inside voices off the record and visible professionals speaking on the record. While we often agree with MHARR, we are not joined at the hip.
Perhaps the most compelling for thoughtful readers are the quotes from people in MHI, in their own words. Videos and their own written statements, carefully analyzed in the light of known facts.
From within the Berkshire Hathaway owned family of Clayton, Vanderbilt, 21st and other units;
From within MHI,
From state, professional, and third-party groups studying the industry – often with no axe to grind – MHProNews has provided a series of reports and exposes unlike anything that the industry has ever seen.
MHI, Clayton, 21st and VMF have not engaged directly in public on these issues. But they have done so indirectly and often behind the scenes. They don’t try to refute/disprove us, rather, they try other alleged tactics to undermine our efforts – which benefit the bulk of the industry’s professionals and investors.
Long term, our call to reform MHI and their alleged monopolistic masters would benefit them too. Because monopoly inevitably leads to a break up, and it harms the market place, public and society. That’s why there are laws against monopolies.
Thinkers simply have to wonder: why do the mega-rich take a public position that seems to contradict their own interests? Isn’t the obvious answer from years of evidence that they posture one thing, do another, because it has worked for them time and again?
Breaking Up is Hard to Do
We’ve taken our precautions.
We’ve called out the powers that be to debate, or discuss, or be interviewed on video, so all can see it. They duck, dodge, detract, distract, delay, etc. If they were right, they’d simply publicly seek to prove me to be a fool. Why are they reluctant to stand up for their track record? Do they de facto admit that they lack success at their own stated goals?
The reason thousands come – including they and their allies daily – is because we say what’s real and support allegations with credible evidence.
MHI Meetings, Networking and Events Can Be Replaced
The one thing that we hear that MHI ‘does okay with’ are their networking meetings. That brings real value to some professionals. But IMHO, they could be done better and for less.
We can’t say if MHARR will expand after their November 2017 meeting. But they have publicly supported the need for a third association that truly represents the “post-production” sector of MH – meaning others besides factory home builders.
There was some movement by a few groups to do a true association, they’ve never come to pass.
It would be very profitable for the industry to do so. Ironically, it could benefit the big players over time too. Because monopolies tend historically to fail over time, and harm many along the way to failure.
The industry is growing faster beyond Clayton and Cavco, their own statistics prove it.
It’s time for the break up, since MHI has declined offers to reform itself.
Industry Pros Question the Effectiveness of National Association – Bob Crawford and Frank Rolfe from ManufacturedHome-ModularHomeNews on Vimeo.
Finally, we will continue to spotlight politics, because it routinely impacts our industry in clear or subtle ways. I know some question our support for the president and his agenda. We appreciate the candid feedback from those who see that topic differently.
While the GOP – as an independent, I’m not a member of that or any other political party – may be gripped by its identity crisis, the Trump wing is gaining ground. As odd as it sounds, the victory of Roy Moore over Luther Strange in the Alabama Senate primary proves that to be true.
The RINOs – perhaps better known as the “Establishment” Republicans – will, if this pattern continues, fade from the scene over time.
Americans are seeking to take back their country.
Manufactured housing professionals want to take back their industry.
The two go hand in hand. That’s why we supported Donald J. Trump when MHI put two pro-Clinton speakers on their stage just days before the election last November.
Manufactured Home Industry Leaders Praise MHLivingNews and MHProNews.
The hypocrisy and the game playing, the masks and deception are coming to an end.
When their allegedly manipulative music stops, watch a growing number of industry pros exit MHI. They won’t want to be associated with that crew.
In the meantime, we’ll be spotlighting the issues that can help industry professionals and investors maximize their returns and success.
Read the news and commentary. Consider what it means to you. Then, think about how you and your location and organization can benefit by applying the insights you find here on MHProNews and/or on MHLivingNews.
You don’t have to spend a dime with us to do that, do you?
Of course, for those who see the value of what we do, it is common sense to support our efforts. Because no other organization in the history of the industry has produced more pro-industry insights and defended the industry more than MHLivingNews and MHProNews.
We are only able to do so thanks to sponsors and client support.
Allegations, Reality and the Future
The powers that be have already lost, they may not realize it yet. The momentum has shifted.
With the masks, and smoke screens falling and blowing away, the industry can grow at a pace it has only dreamed about for years.
We and select clients know how that is done. Its profitable, and done at the local level.
Think about why MHI has turned us down time and again, and failed to respond time and again. Think about why – on an issue as simple as Pam Danner being exited from her role in the manufactured housing program office at HUD – they won’t take a public stand for doing that, even when a growing number of their own members want that to take place.
Yes, we think the days of MHI and their masters as it has existed are about over. Oh, they’ll continue on in some form or fashion, because Berkshire Hathaway and their allies need an organ like MHI.
But for the majority of members, aren’t you feeding the hand that bites yours? ## (Commentary, analysis, news.)
(Image credits are as shown above, and when provided by third parties, are shared under fair use guidelines.)
