In the Part II segment of this MHVille news analysis of the op-ed by William Haupt III in Part I on the importance of the Silent Majority in the U.S., and this platform’s editorial view on some of the ways that his thinking applies and matters to MHVille, there is a confession of sorts. Early on in exposing the arguably dark forces that have subverted manufactured housing from within, this writer was candidly nervous about doing what the evidence pointed out was occurring. It can be intimidating to do the right thing, even when it is the right thing, and even if the right thing is in the best interest of a host of people, including yourself.
Part I from The Center Square to MHProNews is the following.
Op-Ed: Trump woke up the silent majority
“The more absolute the hush, the more shocking the thunderclap. Our masters have not heard the people’s voice for generations, and it is much, much louder than they can remember.” – Alan Moore
The term “silent majority” has been used for centuries, referring to an unspecified large group of people or group who do not express their political opinions publicly or speak up for what they believe in. In the 1919 presidential election, Bruce Barton wrote, “Calvin Coolidge always speaks up for the silent majority.” In 1831, New York U.S. Rep. Churchill Cambreleng referred to those who refused to vote on a Congressional bill as “the silent majority.” The term was later used by Richard Nixon in October 1969 to marginalize and discredit a massive anti-war demonstration.
For years, we have heard the term “silent majority,” but few people really know who the silent majority is. Some people think it is a bunch of disgruntled activists who find comfort in hiding behind the facade of a big group. Others believe it is a political group of people who don’t have an affiliation with any political party. Still others consider the silent majority as a nomadic group of castoffs who walk though life without a care in the world as long as nothing effects their lives.
Actually, the silent majority is all of the above and more. It is a large group that does not express their opinions publicly. The silent majority has existed since our colonial era. Less than 50% of the colonials wanted independence. They were happy paying homage to the king as long as they were left alone. It wasn’t until the first shots of the Revolution were fired at Lexington and Concord that the colonies united against the redcoats to fight for their rightful independent liberty.
According to a Washington University study by James L. Gibson, and Professor Sidney Souers, the silent majority is a large conglomerate of people of all races and political affiliations, who hide behind a silent curtain because of increasing political polarization. More Americans than ever – some 40% – are choosing to keep their mouths shut rather than openly express their opinions.
“This republic was not established by cowards; and cowards will not preserve it.” – Elmer Davis
In the age of social media where everyone has a voice, fear causes people to stay mum, creating a silent majority. A recent Cato study found a third of the people are silent out of fear it could cost them their jobs or friendships. Over 60% said today’s political climate kept them from expressing political opinions. A total of 77% of Republicans, 59% of independents and 50% of moderates admitted to self-censorship. Why is it that every liberal said that they never hold anything back?
A report by More in Common, a group dedicated to understanding political polarization in the U.S., found 68% reported “it is acceptable to express what they think” about race, or Islam only with those like them. On immigration, 73% felt that way. On gay and lesbian issues, the figure is 70%. There was a large discrepancy between liberals and conservatives who believed they could speak freely. They surmised political correctness is a major problem plaguing American politics today.
Conservatives, and many independents, have strong convictions regarding abortion, terrorism, the separation of church and state, immigration, the environment, marriage, taxes, deficits, vouchers, gun control, health care, social security, education and media bias. Yet there is a growing number who’ve thrown in the towel and have become card-carrying members of the silent majority. Why?
The Beacon Group, a political think tank, concluded much of this new “conservative cowardness” is a result of the GOP’s failure to support Trump during his first election. Although he was the clear choice of conservatives and independents, some members of the GOP did everything in their power to derail the Trump express. And much of his Congress did the same. By the time they realized Trump was real and a proven winner after turning the country around, the GOP had destroyed their very own brand.
When Trump first took office, the left and liberal media declared war against every Republican in office. They called them fascists, homophobes, criminals, dictators, racists and tyrants. The media headlines accused Trump of high crimes against the U.S. They even blamed him for the pandemic. Yet the silent majority didn’t make a peep to defend him. Many Republicans, moderates and independents took refuge behind the silent curtain to avoid standing up to media and the left.
Joseph Sutherland, an analytics executive from Washington University, said what is more surprising than how many Americans are self-censoring is “who is doing it.” Those who are highly educated typically feel more empowered to take an active role in civic life, yet these are the same people that are most afraid to speak their mind. Only 27% of those without a high school diploma self-censor.
Free speech in America has never been denied by threat of death or punishment, such as in Russia. That’s why political scientists wonder why the left is so vocal on social and political issues, while many conservatives remain silent. For the past decade, the cleavage between the left and the right defending their beliefs has grown exponentially. The left and has gone forward and the right has gone backwards.
”Cowards die many times before their actual deaths.” – Julius Caesar
Political intolerance has declined in the U.S., suggesting that the public’s opinions in general are not the driving force behind self-censorship. Instead, pressure to keep one’s views to oneself seems to originate from one’s immediate social environment, their friends, family, co-workers and quite often neighbors. Regardless of why people self-censor, it mortally wounds a democracy.
With an increase of over 20% in the cost of living, sky-high shelf prices and a border crisis, the silent majority finally found their voice and elected Donald Trump. Americans were so dissatisfied with the economy under progressive mismanagement, Election Day could not come soon enough. There were 88,380,679 mail-in and early in-person votes cast nationally as Trump won every swing state and the popular vote. It took a crisis of major propensity for the silent majority to speak up.
Walter Cronkite told us, “A healthy nation is one that is talking to itself.” America is a center right nation. Yet those in the center and those who lean center right have allowed progressives to bully them unmercifully in the past few decades without fighting back, and they’ve lost the courage to fight back. How many more crises can we endure and how much damage will we allow radicals to do to our republic before the silent majority comes out from behind their protective wall of silence?
There is a direct correlation between what Vladimir Lenin did to control the Russian people and what progressives are doing in America. He took away the people’s guns, seized control of the press and outlawed free speech. That can happen in America if we allow it to happen. The cost of freedom, liberty and free speech is not cheap. Thousands of Americans have shed their blood and given up their lives preserving democracy around the world. We need to continually hear the voices of the silent majority. Never forget: “The greatness of America lies not in being more enlightened than any other nation, but rather in her ability to repair her faults.” – Alexis de Tocqueville
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Part II – Additional Information with More MHProNews Analysis and Commentary
In no particular order of importance are the following added facts, insights, analysis and commentary.
1) “It’s one thing to shoot yourself in the foot. Just don’t reload the gun.” – Lindsey Graham. Days after Donald Trump stunned America with his election victory in 2016 over the left’s queen bee Hillary Clinton, America entered a period of unprecedented social and political upheaval. Shocked businesses and tech corporations began marching to the far left. They adopted policies, programs and agendas to negate Trump’s influence on Americans, especially Blacks and Hispanics. So said William Haupt III 2 weeks ago.
2) “Op-Ed: Trump brings Black voters back to GOP” opened with: “When you open your heart to patriotism, there is no room for prejudice. The Bible tells us: ‘How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity.'” – Donald Trump. Black voters were mostly Republicans after the Civil War and Reconstruction because the Republican Party had fought for the abolition of slavery; and granting them equal rights. That was William Haupt III a week ago.
3) Last year, MHProNews provided the item linked below, which was also authored by William Haupt III and presented to MHVille by MHProNews.
4) Those interesting quotes and insights should beg the question, who is William Haupt III? According to Muck Rack is the following bio in brief about William Haupt III.
- Contributor, The Center Square
- Journalist, Columnist, Author, Freelance
What’s New
MHI News
The latest news to give you a full perspective on the manufactured housing industry. From manufacturers to land-lease communities, retail to financial services, and suppliers to installers, we help you keep abreast of what’s happening in every aspect of the industry.
From my emailed document to Howard Walker in 2014 was the following.
Bullet summary:
• Image building
• Education within the ranks of our industry and to the public/investors/officials at large
• Finance opportunities
• Bridge building between non-and for-profits.
• The ability to critique or correct the record on critics [e.g.: the New York
Times when they use poor terminology, etc.]
• The ability to showcase our industry’s good sides, via stories about our homes,
communities and interviews with professionals that deserve respect.
• The ability to interview residents and home owners, let them be our voices for
improving our image.
• All of this and more is very doable, because to a very modest degree, we are already
doing it. …”
16) Not from Howard Walker, but what was MHI’s response?
A few months later (following numerous articles on those topics and others) published by MHProNews, in November 2014 came the following from then MHI general counsel, Rick Robison.
Under the MHI logo was the following via email. Note that the street address for MHProNews has changed, but that was the address at that time.
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Nov 25, 2014, 1:55 PM |
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November 25, 2014
VIA EMAIL
Mr. L.A. “Tony” Kovach
Managing Member
MHProNews.com/MHC-MD.com
4210 Arietta Lane
Lakeland, FL 33813
Re: Cease and Desist
Dear Tony:
It has come to MHI’s attention that you have recently been copying and pasting content created and owned by MHI for re-publication in your blog. The purpose of this letter is to demand you cease and desist such practice.
Two recent articles in your blog have forced this action to protect MHI’s intellectual property. First, you republished the content of MHI’s November 19, 2014 State Legislative Action Alert under a headline in blog. Except for a small change at the beginning, it was copied and pasted into your publication, but appears as if it was your original content. As has been indicated at several MHI board meetings, the Action Alerts are benefits reserved for MHI members only. They are not press releases.
Secondly, your article on Jason Boehlert’s departure from MHI followed a similar cut-and-paste pattern for which we are acting. This time the content was copied from MHI’s member newsletter, Week in Review (WIR). As with the Action Alerts, WIR is an MHI member benefit. It is a newsletter, not a press release.
In addition to the unauthorized copying of MHI original content and posting it as your own, the Boehlert article included the trademarked MHI logo. Please note that trademark law does not allow you to use the MHI logo in such a manner so as to indicate an MHI endorsement of you or your products. Even where your use may be fair or nominative, we suggest using the Publishing Law Center’s recommendation of attaching a disclaimer that identifies MHI as the owner of the logo, and that your use is not authorized by, sponsored by, or associated with MHI.
As I suspect you would take the same action if a publication was violating your intellectual property, I trust you will take it in the business-like manner it is intended.
Sincerely,
/s/ Rick
Richard L. Robinson
General Counsel
cc: Richard Jennison, Nathan Smith
— End of emailed letter from Robison to MHProNews. —
17) Why was there no mention in the above that MHI had asked MHProNews to share MHI content, and had at compensated MHProNews to share MHI generated content? Why did Robinson, an attorney, make statements that were legally misleading and do so using the “the wires” which under federal law is forbidden to make deceptive remarks as a possible violation of federal RICO laws?
Nor was that the only time that MHI has tried that arguably a “bluff” with this writer and this publication. MHProNews eventually published the following at this link here: Third-party images or content are provided under fair use guidelines for media. It specifies the apparent errors in Robinson’s and MHI’s argument and spelled out what MHProNews planned to do in response to any legal action undertaken by MHI.
The result?
In a sense, nothing, because having called MHI’s bluff time and again in recent years, MHI finally stopped issuing threats like the one from Robinson and/or by other attorneys or professionals made on behalf of MHI. Media has certain rights. When MHProNews properly labels content and sources, which we routinely do, plus label our commentary and analysis, which we routinely do, then MHI can complain all they want but they are not likely to prevail in a court of law.
They seem to know that to be true.
But there is more at stake for MHI. A countersuit against MHI could well result in time with a judgment in favor of this publication. We’ve spelled it out based on the law. They appear to agree, even if only tacitly so, because they have not sent such a threat in quite some time.
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8) The lesson? We can’t tell individuals in MHVille what they should do, or not do, because challenging the powerful can have risks. But as Haupt III noted in his article provided in Part I, when the Silent Majority are willing to stand up and not be silent anymore, there are advantages. We have been the dominating publication in terms of readership and engagement by industry pros for several years. There were times that MHI’s tactics arguably impacted our publication (because it is an arguably ongoing pattern of behavior, we don’t have to rush to make a claim). But overall, for over a decade, the known evidence is that MHProNews has a much larger audience than MHI and MHI and their allied bloggers/trade publishers too.
19) MHProNews is not operated by an attorney, we are not giving legal advice to those in MHVille who are aware of arguably improper or illegal behavior. But we do have the ability to read and research, same as others do and determine what the state of the law may be on a given topic. We have posted articles similar to this before that indicate why the industry’s members, either in tips to MHProNews and/or via other methods of an individuals own choosing, can and should arguably step up and fight for the rights of the independents in MHVille.
20) We have felt for some years that we are on solid legal grounds publishing items by MHI and/or one of their ‘insider’ brands and critiquing them in our articles. We have often asked them to respond, and they routinely opt to stay silent. One such example is in the article posted below, but there are several others before and since.
21) We began this article with a paraphrase of some of the remarks quoted by Haupt III in Part I. Let’s review some of them on his op-ed’s theme of the “Silent Majority.”
“The more absolute the hush, the more shocking the thunderclap. Our masters have not heard the people’s voice for generations, and it is much, much louder than they can remember.” – Alan Moore
“This republic was not established by cowards; and cowards will not preserve it.” – Elmer Davis
”Cowards die many times before their actual deaths.” – Julius Caesar
“The greatness of America lies not in being more enlightened than any other nation, but rather in her ability to repair her faults.” – Alexis de Tocqueville
21) Our industry is vital to the national interest. Even individuals who have never stepped foot into a manufactured home, and never intend to do so, can benefit IF millions of HUD Code manufactured homes are allowed to be built in compliance with existing federal laws. MHI is arguably a fraudulent trade association, operating under false pretenses. If that is so, that is actionable in several ways.
22) When we began to slowly (too slowly, some might argue) come to the realization that MHI was bogus with respect to several of its stated claims and was deceptively acting on behalf of consolidators and not on behalf of authentic industry growth, we began using a variety of methods to demonstrate directly and indirectly why we believed that statement to be supported by the evidence. MHI and their corporate leaders were asked to respond to those concerns and allegations. They declined to respond to the evidence.
We showed evidence from MHI’s own members, from MHI’s own leaders, of the apparent contradictions they were operating under. They are apparently unable or unwilling to defend their claims publicly.
23) One of their own prominent members has said off and on for about a decade that MHI’s behavior is not easily explained and that they are apparently not interested in being part of the solution to the affordable housing crisis. Per Frank Rolfe. Note that quoting Rolfe is not an endorsement of that man’s business practices.
Note that Rolfe is calling MHI “the greatest enemy” of the “industry itself.”
Prior to that Rolfe publicly ripped Nathan Smith, prior MHI chairman. That was over a decade ago. This writer is unaware of any threats of legal action by MHI against Rolfe and his partner.
This is one of the regional news videos that covered the case and allegations against former MHI chairman Nathan Smith’s SSK communities (since rebranded as Flagship Communities).
An array of sources that were or remain in the MHI orbit that have been cited by MHProNews, plus MHARR, are just icing on the cake once Rolfe’s various evidence-supported allegations are understood.
24) For accuracy in reporting and analysis, since this article was drafted, at about 5:27 PM ET on 2.10.2025, there is an update to MHI’s news landing page. It now looks like this below.
25) MHProNews hammers away at the known facts, evidence, and provides expert commentary and analysis that is bolstered by an array of third-party information. We place the evidence side by side in a sequentially fashion, something like assembling pieces of a proverbial puzzle. By providing an array of facts, illustrations, evidence plus some analysis and commentary, a picture emerges that yields clarity.
That combination has proven to be very popular with most of our readers. It may not be as popular with those who are exposed in that process. See the linked and related reports to learn more. There is always more to come in an ever-flowing stream of shoes waiting to drop. We’ll see what emerges from the group of whistleblowers that will be talking to MHProNews later this week; perhaps something of interest, maybe not. Time will tell. But if you have a story to tell and documents or evidence to support claims email ireportMHNewsTips@mhmsm.com.
Dozens of more Sunday Weekly headlines recaps are found further below. Learn more to earn more and enjoy.
Again, our thanks to free email subscribers and all readers like you, as well as our tipsters/sources, sponsors and God for making and keeping us the runaway number one source for authentic “News through the lens of manufactured homes and factory-built housing” © where “We Provide, You Decide.” © ## (Affordable housing, manufactured homes, 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.com.
Tony earned a journalism scholarship and earned numerous awards in history and 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.
Connect on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/latonykovach
Related References:
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