Democratic Black-Hispanic-Asian-Pacific Caucus Leaders PR Effort to Get Biden-Harris to Keep Promises to Minorities on AFFH Housing Rule-How Affordable Manufactured Homes Fit-‘Art of Possible’

“Politics is the art of the possible, the attainable — the art of the next best.” So said Otto von Bismarck, per GoodReads. The Political Dictionary in the “Art of the Possible” explained it like this: “The “art of the possible” is idea that politics is a matter of pragmatism, instead of idealism. According to this worldview, politics is a matter of creating achievable goals and implementing them in the real world.” That source goes onto say: “The economist Kenneth Galbraith expressed a more negative view of political pragmatism when he said, “Politics is not the art of the possible. It consists in choosing between the disastrous and the unpalatable.”” The Political Dictionary also noted that “Biden used the phrase “art of the possible” during his first presidential press conference, at the start of 2021.”

In Part I of this report with analysis is the press release (PR) issued by the Democratic Black-Hispanic-Asian-Pacific Caucus Leaders on 5.3.2024. Also included in this article is the full text of the “Tri-Caucus” chairs letter to Biden. But before looking at those specifics, consider these pull quotes from their statement and letter.

• “…Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing, supra note 2 (explaining that “[t]his rule proposes to retain much of the 2015 AFFH Rule’s core planning process…” The Obama-Biden Administration had plan 9 years ago. What happened to that ought to be a fair question.
• Biden’s on HUD leadership: issued a “rule proposed [for AFFH] by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) more than a year ago.^[1]”
• “More than 55 years after the Fair Housing Act became law, we still have not fully implemented its requirement to combat discrimination and affirmatively further fair housing.”

Here is the dirty little secret that those three quoted bullets point toward.  In no specific order of importance:

1. Government programs have consistently failed to produce the results they promised. The Tri-Caucus Democratic leadership has said so themselves via those three quoted remarks. Recall that MHLivingNews previously cited HUD’s own researchers saying politicians have been promising a better outcome on affordable housing for over 50 years that they have not delivered on, even though politicos know what the problems and solutions are.
2. What those Democratic leaders also didn’t directly say is that as proposed, the AFFH will also fail to produce the promised result. “Incentives” and taxpayer subsidies have been used for decades. They have never delivered on the promise of sufficient affordable housing. What would likely follow if AFFH is implemented would be litigation and more delays. That means the issue is retained, which for politicians means they can keep the issue going. Keeping an issue in play has political value to certain kinds of politicians, even if it means they don’t deliver on promises made to Blacks, Hispanics, Asian-Pacific or other minorities, Whites, Women, Men, or whatever religious or possible “identity” group that someone cares to mention or create. “The issue is never the issue.”  The issue is a tactic that is part of a longer strategy that is about political power.
3. The solution to the affordable housing crisis and overcoming barriers to housing was already enacted into federal law over 20 years ago! Spoiler alert: Joe Biden voted for it over 20 years ago! The obvious fastest path to solving the problem of affordable housing and creating the financial benefits that these Democratic leaders mention is to implement what is already available. Who said? Left-leaning Bing’s artificial intelligence powered Copilot.

With that focused introduction, here is the Tri-Caucus Press Release dated 5.3.2024 (Part I).

Part II is the text of the actual letter by those three chairs.

More facts and analysis will follow in Part III that will show how manufactured housing not only fits into this picture but is essential for this affordable housing and true equity for available for all groups to work. Manufactured homes could benefit people that buy whatever kind of housing someone may want and can afford, as will be demonstrated.

 

Part I Tri Caucus Letter Press Release

Tri-Caucus Chairs Urge Biden to Release AFFH Rule to Accelerate Racial Equity in Housing

WASHINGTON, May 3, 2024

Today, the Chairs of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), and Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) led a letter to President Biden, calling for the swift release of the final “Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing” (AFFH) rule proposed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

The Tri-Caucus Chairs emphasize that the rule has the power to accelerate America’s mission to fulfill its promise of fair housing access and opportunities for all. The call highlights the pressing need for urgent comprehensive housing policies to further address systemic injustices and intensify efforts to rectify the history of housing discrimination against marginalized communities.

“The AFFH rule is an essential tool in making sure that all people–regardless of race, gender identity, ethnicity, family status, disability, or religion– have a range of choices about where to live, and that all neighborhoods are good places to live, regardless of who lives in the community,” wrote CHC Chair Rep. Nanette Barragán, CBC Chair Rep. Steven Horsford (NV-04), and CAPAC Chair Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28).

They continued, “HUD’s proposed 2023 AFFH rule answers the Administration’s call to create a fair housing market.  This rule can ensure that cities, counties, public housing agencies, regions, and states proactively pursue housing and other policies that connect all residents to the resources they need to succeed.”

“More than 55 years after the Fair Housing Act became law, we still have not fully implemented its requirement to combat discrimination and affirmatively further fair housing. We urge the White House not to wait any longer and immediately release the AFFH rule so that our country can take critical and substantial steps in fulfilling our country’s promise of fair housing access and opportunities for all.”

The AFFH rule requires that recipients of HUD funding develop locally driven actions to further foster fair housing principles with engagement from their communities. Program participants will submit their plans to HUD and provide annual evaluations to monitor progress towards achieving their established fair housing commitments.

To read the full letter, click here. ##

 

Part II – Full Text of Linked Letter from Tri Caucus Press Release, Above

May 2, 2024

 

The Honorable Joseph R. Biden

President of the United States

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC 20500

 

Dear President Biden:

As Chairs of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, the Congressional Black Caucus, and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus we write to respectfully urge the White House follow through its commitment to advancing racial equity through our federal government^[1] by expeditiously releasing the final “Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing” (AFFH) rule proposed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) more than a year ago.^[2]

Urgent action is needed to implement comprehensive and equitable housing policies to address these systemic injustices and ensure fair access to housing for all communities, regardless of race or ethnicity. Creating an equitable society not only aligns with moral imperatives but also makes sound economic and business sense. On March 20, 2024, Nikitra Bailey, Executive Vice President of National Fair Housing Alliance (NHFA), testified before Congress^[3], highlighting the enduring nature of housing discrimination and its disproportionate impact on marginalized communities. Bailey underscored the historical legacy of discriminatory laws and policies that have perpetuated a dual housing market, favoring White households while marginalizing Black, Latino, Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI), and Native American households. Shockingly, from 1934 to 1962, over $120 billion in federally backed mortgages overwhelmingly benefited White Americans, with only two percent allocated to Black, Latino, AANHPI, and Native American individuals. Discriminatory practices within programs like the GI Bill loan programs further exacerbated housing disparities, evidenced by the low number of VA-insured mortgages granted to Black servicemembers. Today, these historical injustices persist, reflected in glaring disparities in homeownership rates, with White homeownership rates significantly higher than those of Black, Latino, and AANHPI communities. These disparities translate into staggering figures, particularly among Latino and AANHPI renters and homeowners living at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Line, who face severe housing cost burdens.

The AFFH rule is an essential tool in making sure that all people–regardless of race, gender identity, ethnicity, family status, disability, or religion– have a range of choices about where to live, and that all neighborhoods are good places to live, regardless of who lives in the community. It will help address the nation’s fair and affordable housing crisis by ensuring that all federal funding for housing and community development are used in a manner that expands opportunity and creates communities where we all can thrive. Research^[4] indicates that closing the Black/White wage gap 20 years ago would have added about $2.7 trillion in income available for consumer consumption or investment. Moreover, closing the wage, education, housing, and credit gaps between Blacks and Whites alone would add $5 trillion of additional Gross Domestic Product to the U.S. economy over a 5-year period. By dismantling barriers to equitable housing, we not only foster social justice but also unleash the full economic potential of our nation for the benefit of every individual and community.

Where you live determines your access to education, transportation, health care, jobs, and other opportunities. Unfortunately, America is still struggling to overcome the legacy and present reality of housing discrimination, which often segregates people of color, people with disabilities, and women in neighborhoods of concentrated poverty. Strong and effective fair housing laws are essential for building prosperity and growing the American economy. Discrimination and inequality are drains on our economy. They distort markets, restrict resources, set up unbalanced consumer demand, contribute to inflation, and drive-up costs. By eliminating bias from our markets, we can ensure that they function fairly, and we all share in our nation’s collective economic growth. As America confronts a litany of housing challenges— from skyrocketing rents to increased homelessness to barriers that prevent the dream of homeownership from becoming a reality—it is more important than ever that we create communities of opportunity that are accessible to all.

HUD’s proposed 2023 AFFH rule^[5] answers the Administration’s call^[6] to create a fair housing market.  This rule can ensure that cities, counties, public housing agencies, regions, and states proactively pursue housing and other policies that connect all residents to the resources they need to succeed.  It does so by providing local leaders with the tools and incentives they need to set ambitious goals to address fair housing issues in consultation with the communities they serve.

Moreover, this rule establishes substantial and much-needed opportunities for transparency, oversight, and accountability.^[7]

Failure to release the rule could also undermine the Biden-Harris Administration’s goals of ensuring recent federal infrastructure funding initiatives fairly reach all communities and threaten to exacerbate existing racial wealth gaps as jurisdictions and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) will lack the guidance needed in administering infrastructure funds in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Inflation Reduction Act, and the CHIPS and Science Act.

More than 55 years after the Fair Housing Act became law, we still have not fully implemented its requirement to combat discrimination and affirmatively further fair housing. We urge the White House not to wait any longer and immediately release the AFFH rule so that our country can take critical and substantial steps in fulfilling our country’s promise of fair housing access and opportunities for all.

Sincerely,

 

Judy Chu                                      Steven Horsford                Nanette Diaz Barragán

Chair Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus

Chair Congressional Black Caucus

Chair Congressional Hispanic Caucus

[1] See generally Executive Order on Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government, Exec. Order No. 13985, 86 Fed. Reg. 7009 (Jan. 20, 2021).  See also Further Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government, Exec. Order No. 14091, 88 Fed. Reg. 10825 (Feb. 16, 2023).

[2] Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing, 88 Fed. Reg. 8516 (Feb. 9, 2023) (explaining that “[t]his rule proposes to retain much of the 2015 AFFH Rule’s core planning process, with certain improvements such as a more robust community engagement requirement, a streamlined required analysis, greater transparency, and an increased emphasis on goal setting and measuring progress. It also includes mechanisms to hold program participants accountable for achieving positive fair housing outcomes and complying with their obligation to affirmatively further fair housing, modeled after those processes under other Federal civil rights statutes that apply to recipients of Federal financial assistance.).

[3] www.congress.gov/118/meeting/house/116995/witnesses/HHRG–118–BA04–Wstate–BaileyN–20240320.pdf

[4] https://nationalfairhousing.org/wp–content/uploads/2023/03/2023–AFFH–Top–Line–Messaging–Points–FINAL.pdf

[5] Press Release, U.S. Dep’t of Housing and Urban Development, HUD Announces New Proposed ‘Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing’ Rule, Taking a Major Step Towards Rooting Out Longstanding Inequities in Housing and Fostering Inclusive Communities, HUD No. 23-013 (Jan. 19, 2023),

https://www.hud.gov/press/press_releases_media_advisories/HUD_No_23_013 (stating, in relevant part, “this proposed rule meets President Biden’s call in his first days in office to fully enforce the Fair Housing Act, outlined in Memorandum on Redressing Our Nation’s and the Federal Government’s History of Discriminatory Housing Practices and Policies.”).

[6] Memorandum on Redressing Our Nation’s and the Federal Government’s History of Discriminatory Housing Practices and Policies, 86 Fed. Reg. 7487 (Feb. 26, 2021), https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing–room/presidentialactions/2021/01/26/memorandum–on–redressing–our–nations–and–the–federal–governments–history–ofdiscriminatory–housing–practices–and–policies/.

[7] See Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing, supra note 2 (explaining that “[t]his rule proposes to retain much of the 2015 AFFH Rule’s core planning process, with certain improvements such as a more robust community engagement requirement, a streamlined required analysis, greater transparency, and an increased emphasis on goal setting and measuring progress. It also includes mechanisms to hold program participants accountable for achieving positive fair housing outcomes and complying with their obligation to affirmatively further fair housing, modeled after those processes under other Federal civil rights statutes that apply to recipients of Federal financial assistance.

 

Part III – Additional Information with More MHLivingNews Analysis and Commentary 

There may very well be people of good will in government and politics who believe in the sincerity of those who promote such programs or solutions.  But someone can be sincerely mistaken. Indeed, odds are good all of us have been sincere about something and nevertheless mistaken at various points of time during our lives.

The time for hope and wishes should give way to practicalities and what the Political Dictionary described as: “…pragmatism, instead of idealism. According to this worldview, politics is a matter of creating achievable goals and implementing them in the real world.” Let’s look at a quick review of the facts under the Biden-Harris administration. In no particular order of importance.

1) Despite record spending, homelessness went up. That is per HUD’s own data to Congress.

 

 

2) Then House Majority Whip James Clyburn (SC-D), a man many believe played pivotal role in getting Joe Biden the Democratic nomination in 2020 and thus into the White House, admitted on left-leaning MSNBC that Democrats knew that their spending program was going to fuel inflation. They felt it was worth it. See the video and related report, linked below.

 

 

 

3) The following Q&A with Bing’s AI powered Copilot was performed on 5.4.2024 using the balanced or blue setting.

For someone that doesn’t already understand, explain why building millions of new manufactured homes is the most proven solution for the affordable housing crisis. Then explain why implementing the Manufactured Housing Improvement Act of 2000 and its enhanced preemption provision in a robust fashion is important. Then explain why the Duty to Serve (DTS) Manufactured Housing made federal law under the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 is useful, along side other federally supported lending programs for lower cost manufactured home loans. Then confirm the point that Joe Biden, while a U.S. Senator, voted for both the Manufactured Housing Improvement Act of 2000 and also the Duty to Serve manufactured housing in HERA 2008. Link all results.

 

Certainly! Let’s break down each aspect:

1. Manufactured Homes as a Solution for Affordable Housing Crisis:
   • Manufactured homes, also known as mobile homes or prefab homes, offer a proven solution to the affordable housing crisis. Here’s why:
     • Cost-Effectiveness: Manufactured homes can be built faster and cheaper than traditional site-built homes¹. Their lower construction costs translate to more affordable purchase prices, making homeownership accessible to a wider range of homebuyers².
     • Speed of Construction: The streamlined construction process allows for quicker delivery, which is crucial in addressing housing shortages.
     • Quality Standards: Modern manufactured homes meet stringent safety and quality standards set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
     • Flexibility: They can be placed on various types of land, including rural areas and infill lots.
     • Energy Efficiency: Advances in design and materials have improved energy efficiency in manufactured homes.
2. Manufactured Housing Improvement Act of 2000 (MHIA) and Enhanced Preemption:
   • The MHIA strengthened federal preemption provisions related to manufactured housing. Preemption means that federal standards take precedence over conflicting state or local regulations.
   • The enhanced preemption provision ensures that when a federal manufactured home standard is in effect, states and localities cannot establish or maintain standards that differ from the federal standard³.
   • Proper implementation of this provision is crucial to provide clarity and predictability for all stakeholders in the industry.
3. Duty to Serve (DTS) Manufactured Housing:
   • The Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 (HERA) established a duty for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the Enterprises) to serve three underserved markets: manufactured housing, affordable housing preservation, and rural housing.
   • The DTS provision aims to increase the liquidity of mortgage investments and improve investment capital distribution for very low-, low-, and moderate-income families in these markets⁴.
   • Specifically for manufactured housing:
     • FHFA (Federal Housing Finance Agency) oversees the Enterprises’ compliance with DTS requirements.
     • The Enterprises must prepare Underserved Markets Plans (Plans) describing activities to fulfill their DTS obligations.
     • FHFA evaluates the Plans annually to assess compliance and impact.
     • Recent actions include preserving and rehabilitating existing manufactured home communities and making financing easier for manufactured homes⁵.
4. Joe Biden’s Support:
   • As a U.S. Senator, Joe Biden voted for both the Manufactured Housing Improvement Act of 2000 and the Duty to Serve manufactured housing in HERA 2008.
   • His commitment to affordable housing continues during his presidency, with recent actions reinforcing manufactured homes as an affordable option⁶.

In summary, manufactured homes offer an efficient and cost-effective solution to the housing crisis. Properly implementing the MHIA’s enhanced preemption and supporting DTS initiatives are essential for expanding access to safe and stable housing for all Americans. Joe Biden’s historical support underscores the importance of these measures in addressing housing affordability⁷. …”

 

Sources including MHLivingNews, MHProNews, the Manufactured Housing Association for Regulatory Reform (MHARR) and others were linked.  The above is less than perfect, but is nevertheless useful as a starting point.

 

4)

Several Q&A’s occurred with rather – pardon me – political sounding responses that had certain factual or lack of consistent logic issues.  As a follow up, to clear those up, this response was posed to Copilot. Note the reply. See the full thread, linked here.

Pardon me, Copilot, but some of that is flawed thinking. If the federal government is all being run on a practical level by the same party – Democrats – and they have a law in place, then they could enforce it if they wanted to do so. Period. If there is opposition to a law, they go to court to get it enforced, withhold federal funding from any jurisdiction that fails to comply, or whatever. There is a lot of energy spent in talking about incentives, but if incentives worked, then 50 years of incentives have yet to produce the desired outcome. The need for housing should supersede all the politics, posturing, cronyism, and use of issues as ongoing levers for future votes. Promises should be made and kept and those laws have not been enforced, or they would still not be matters of discussion.

 

You make a valid point, and I appreciate your persistence in highlighting the need for effective enforcement of existing laws. Let’s delve further into this matter:

1. Party Control and Enforcement:
   • When a single party controls both the executive branch (White House) and the legislative branch (Congress), they indeed have the authority to enforce existing laws.
   • The Manufactured Housing Improvement Act of 2000 (MHIA), with its enhanced preemption provision, was enacted during the Democratic administration of President Bill Clinton.
   • Your argument underscores that if there is political will, enforcement can occur without undue delay.
2. Legal Mechanisms:
   • When there is opposition to a law, legal mechanisms exist to ensure compliance:
     • Court Action: Going to court to enforce laws is a viable option. Legal challenges can clarify interpretations and compel adherence.
     • Funding Leverage: Withholding federal funding from non-compliant jurisdictions is a powerful tool.
     • Transparency and Advocacy: Advocacy groups, industry players, and citizens can raise awareness and demand accountability.
3. Incentives and Outcomes:
   • You rightly point out that incentives alone may not suffice. While they play a role, consistent enforcement is essential.
   • The urgency of addressing housing needs should indeed transcend political considerations.
4. Promises and Accountability:
   • Promises made during campaigns or legislative processes should translate into tangible actions.
   • Accountability ensures that laws are not merely symbolic but lead to meaningful outcomes.
5. Conclusion:
   • The discussion around enforcing existing laws should focus on real impact, especially for those seeking affordable housing.
   • Transparency, collaboration, and sustained efforts are vital to bridge the gap between intent and implementation.

In summary, your call for action resonates. Let’s continue advocating for effective enforcement and housing solutions that benefit all Americans . …”

 

5)

Our sister site, MHProNews did a focused 9-minute reading time step-by-step facts and analysis that documented that without millions of more manufactured homes, the affordable housing crisis can never be solved with conventional housing and subsidies. That later approach has been tried for years and has never worked. It never will work. Increasing the funding is a in part of what some call “a scam” that benefits insiders able to unlock the benefits. Meanwhile, though a relatively few citizens may seem to benefit, millions more are left out. That approach is obviously unjust, has not, and will not work.

 

 

6)

Billions of dollars of investor money have been spent in recent years trying to find what amounts to a cost-effective alternative to HUD Code manufactured homes and conventional housing. They have often failed, and none have proven to be as effective as manufactured homes. Let’s note that investors have the right to risk their own money on these projects.

 

 

7) But when it comes to taxpayer money, or borrowed federal funds, public officials have an obligation to make those dollars count towards the stated goal.

As Copilot finally acknowledged in Part III #4 above, it should be obvious that more than enough federal officials realize the solution to the affordable housing crisis MUST include sufficient numbers of manufactured homes. That statement isn’t meant to limit other housing options. Solving the housing crisis should be an ‘all of the above’ approach that retains what is usable in the current housing stock while adding as many new homes of all construction types that the market can provide. Ideally, public money should not be used to subsidize more costly conventional housing when it undermines less costly manufactured housing in the process. If that public support is needed due to dependencies that were created by such programs, then as could occur during a transition phase until the free market can catch up to the demand. That process should be discussed and implemented as needed. As a flashback, MHLivingNews pitched during the Obama-Biden administration era a plan that could have eliminated the need for much of HUD’s programs years ago. It was ignored. Had something like that been adopted, a case can be made that the current housing crisis would largely have been tamed.

 

 

8) Ironically, the Obama-Biden administration era HUD commissioned a study that documented facts which debunked several of the common concerns about manufactured housing in urban areas. But federal preemption under the MHIA was not mentioned in that study.

9) There is plenty of evidence from third-party studies that cover decades of research involving modern manufactured homes.  While they may be useful as reminders, there is no need for more studies. There are plenty of research already available.

 

 

10) There are also plenty of comments that Congress already obtained during Congressional hearings on the implementation (or lack thereof) with respect to the Manufactured Housing Improvement Act of 2000. As Ed Hussey of Liberty Homes fame noted on behalf of MHARR, “there is nothing wrong with the 2000 Law. The Manufactured Housing Improvement Act doesn’t need to be amended. The issue is the [lack of proper and consistent] implementation by HUD.” While Bill Boor is from MHI and not MHARR, Boor made similar remarks in July 2023. As has been noted numerous times, on paper, MHI and MHARR often seem to be saying quite similar things.

 

 

 

11) That noted, one key difference is the question of implementation. MHARR all but said that the Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI) and their state association affiliates were trying to ‘run out the clock’ on the Trump Administration, which seemed interested in putting more effort and support into manufactured housing and the 2000 Reform Law. A notorious but prominent member of MHI pointed his finger at MHI for failures to properly engage with HUD during the time Ben Carson, M.D., was HUD Secretary.

 

 

 

 

12) There is an evidence-based case to be made that inept and/or corrupt behavior has plagued several federal programs for years and even decades. As noted above, HUD’s own researchers have pointed to a key part of the solution.  Why have they been ignored?

 

13) The politics of racial division and other troubling tactics are also arguably part of this picture.  See the linked reports and documentaries to learn more.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

14) As MHProNews and MHLivingNews have been making the case for years, a clear majority of the population is harmed by the status quo. It is only now, in the past 3+ years under Biden-Harris that it is becoming ever more evident. Most people, per surveys some 65 percent, believe the country is on the ‘wrong track.’ Most people have been harmed by the policies implemented – or not implemented – by the Biden-Harris team. The time for pretending otherwise is long over. While both major parties need reforming, there is a growing number of Republicans who are in favor of policies that would repudiate the donor class in favor of the clear interests of the vast majority of the American people. That is our evidence-based observation as political independents.

 

 

15) So, in summary, the letter from the minority caucus leaders among the Democratic party to their ‘own president’ ought to speak volumes, but not in the way that the authors may have intended.

Their own document, as the above illustrates, reveals part of how the game in Washington, D.C. is played.

Posturing and stagecraft are part of the game.

Maybe Biden-Harris will (or won’t) implement the AFFH as they request.

But either way, the plan won’t work. Their AFFH plan is a variation on themes that have been tried for decades and have failed to produce the desired and promised results.

What such posturing does from the vantage point of those who use (or abuse) such methods is keep those in power. They are empowered by trusting voters who may believe what they are being told. Meanwhile, they get a proverbial ‘mountain of crumbs’ instead of the feast that they might obtain if the shackles of our society were loosed by a proper enforcement of existing laws.

Dozens of powerful people should be prosecuted under federal/state laws for the years of public manipulation that they have engaged in.  For all of the promises made, Obama and Biden (D) did little different than Bush-Cheney (R). As has been noted before, a Black talk radio station in Chicago made that point years ago, when they called Barack Obama “Barack-O-Bush.” New faces, new promises, same old problems.

16) There are no perfect politicians. Imperfect choices have to be made. But life was better under Trump for tens of millions of Blacks, Hispanics, Whites and others. The “Establishment,” the “Deep State,” the rigged system, whatever someone wants to call it, it is obvious that those in power believe Trump to be a threat to them. Because he threatens their power, they want their followers to believe that he is a threat to the people. Isn’t it obvious – or at least supported by the evidence – that Trump seems sincere about wrestling them out of their Establishment’s positions of de facto power? Is it because he would resume trying to bring peace instead of war? Prosperity instead of poverty? More affordable housing vs. less affordable housing?

Since the report linked below was published, much of the corruption behind the various prosecutions is being exposed in steady stages. Trump’s political opponents are behind the charges.

 

 

17) Trump in the 2015-2016 election cycle took on the Bush (Establishment) wing of the Republican party and defeated them soundly. The Republican base is increasingly a base of working class, middle class, retirees and others that want nothing to do with politics as usual. It is an entirely fair question to wonder if Trump’s enemies will succeed.  But what seems clear is that his enemies believe he is the greatest threat they have faced in decades.

 

 

Notice the date on those remarks.

 

The donor class, the wealthy have backed the Democratic leadership for years.

 

 

18) There is a special report on MHProNews that interconnects with these issues.  See that at the link here. It will show how understanding the truth, the often-keen insights of history, can be the gateway to a better future. Don’t miss it.  ##

 

 

 

 

 

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, 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 MHLivingNews.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.

http://latonykovach.com

Connect on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/latonykovach

Recent and Related Reports:

The text/image boxes below are linked to other reports, which can be accessed by clicking on them.