There is a lot to say about what has gone wrong with our country and our Industry.\u00a0 We will begin ‘at the top,’ with our Chief Executive, President Barack Obama.<\/p>\n
What’s up with Obama’s recent bus tour?<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n I’m no fan of the prior president, but say what you will about President W, when he took a similar bus trip to President Obama’s, W used campaign dollars to pay for it.\u00a0 Where is the “watchdog” media? Why no hue and cry when the administration buys millions of dollars of Canadian buses so President BO can tour in style on the taxpayer’s dime?<\/p>\n What’s up with all that?<\/p>\n Isn’t it ironic that BO tours campaign style after lecturing millionaires and billionaires about private jets and corporate perks?\u00a0 Or is that rhetoric just a way of getting the votes of middle America and \u2018the little people?\u2019<\/p>\n Do you like ‘divide and conquer politics?\u00a0 To me, it is plain wrong.\u00a0 Talk about issues, talk records or about facts.\u00a0 But don’t pit one group against another.<\/p>\n I need to be clear that W vacationed considerably more than BO.\u00a0 But W went to his ranch or Camp David, etc.\u00a0 But to add irony to injury, on the heels of all this bad economic news, BO is in Martha’s Vineyard – the haven of the elite – now?<\/p>\n Even left wing commentators see this vacation in the New England playground of the rich and famous as a problem.<\/p>\n They say the emperor has no clothes.\u00a0 Well, we have no emperor<\/em>, but a president and his wardrobe looks just fine.<\/p>\n Ascendancy and Dependency<\/strong><\/p>\n It is the party of dependency that is still in ascendency.<\/p>\n Or at least still in high office…<\/p>\n …dependency is a major voting block today.<\/p>\n Be it government labor unions, federal jobs or those on government assistance, it is an issue.\u00a0 We have to put people to work, not get them used to no work. We do need federal and other government jobs.\u00a0 But we can’t give everyone a job regulating someone who is working to produce a product or a service that keeps America’s wheels turning.<\/em><\/p>\n If we do not change our ways federally and locally, we will look like rioting old England some day, because we can\u2019t afford to keep adding to our debt and taking on more programs that fail to foster independence.<\/p>\n While we have plenty of dependency programs, meanwhile, we have<\/p>\n I didn\u2019t favor W taking us into Iraq, nor do I favor BO taking us into Libya.\u00a0 Even if we \u2018win,\u2019 what have we won in either case?\u00a0 We spill American blood and treasure, for what?\u00a0 We can’t be the world’s cop, and we can’t have wars for the sake of foreign oil, etc.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s drill and do energy on U.S. soil and off U.S. shores, as safely and prudently as possible.\u00a0 Think about the major jobs creation potential.<\/p>\n Private enterprise can pay for it all without federal dollars.\u00a0 Let business people do business in America again.<\/p>\n Another <\/em>Recession, what<\/strong>\u2019<\/strong>s up with that?<\/strong><\/p>\n The media speaks of double dip recession.\u00a0 What’s up with that phrase?<\/p>\n Did anyone notice that the ‘great recession’ never ended?\u00a0 Did you notice that the housing markets still suffer, and Keynesian\/Euro socialist economics just added trillions to our debt without giving us a stronger economy?<\/p>\n No jobs.\u00a0 No stimulated business.\u00a0 Tougher lending.\u00a0 Very little respect overseas.\u00a0 Where is the change we can believe in?\u00a0 Or was that supposed to mean the pocket change we have left after taxes?<\/p>\n Third part candidate George Wallace once said there wasn’t a dime’s worth of difference between the two major parties. Thus Wallace favored what some have for years, a third party to bring America back. But Ronald Reagan had it closer, we don’t need a third party, but a rejuvenated second party.<\/p>\n That means we don\u2019t need Rino Republicans, Republicans In Name Only.\u00a0 To me, W was a Rino, socially conservative, but nearly as much a man about big government as BO is.\u00a0 W helped give us that darn bail out of the bankers.\u00a0 W took us into two wars with no end in sight.\u00a0 W’s dad may not have “finished the job” in the first Gulf War, but he had the smarts to get in and get out.<\/p>\n We need business friendly independents, Democrats and Republicans.<\/p>\n Businesses create jobs.\u00a0 Jobs are what American\u2019s need, and then they can start buying houses again!<\/p>\n Speaking of jobs, how about creating 20 million new ones? <\/strong><\/p>\n I’ve read the same reports you have; that there are two trillion dollars of investment money on the sidelines – actually overseas – that could be brought back to the U.S. In short order.<\/p>\n But that 2 trillion fled America due to regulations and tax policies.\u00a0 Do we have the political will to bring those trillions back?<\/p>\n Think about what Two Trillion Dollars<\/strong> we don’t have to borrow, or write down, would mean to our country right now.\u00a0 If every $100,000 invested created only 1 American job, that would mean 20,000,000 jobs<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Think: 20 million people off aid, off food stamps, off unemployment or other government programs.\u00a0 2o million more taxpayers.\u00a0 Think 20 million people less dependent, means we would be that much closer to a balanced budget!<\/p>\n We better find and support candidates in whatever party who know how the free enterprise system works, because creating jobs by supporting business is what we should be about.<\/p>\n Free Enterprise, not Keynesian\/Euro socialist economics, is what made America the land of the free and the home of the brave.<\/p>\n November 2012 is shaping up now.\u00a0 Who we support now for our state houses, or for Congress, the Senate and the White House will be on the ballot 15 months from now.<\/p>\n Personally, I’ve contacted my senators and representative and made my feelings known on economic and social issues.\u00a0 But I will also make them known on the path to election 2012.<\/p>\n Give the man his props<\/strong><\/p>\n One thing that our recently bus touring and now vacationing BO has done is give us an executive order we can believe in.\u00a0 With all due respect to Marty Lavin, Danny Ghorbani was the first to bring it to our Industry’s attention. \u00a0We speak of Executive Order (EO) #13563<\/a>, similar to President Clinton\u2019s issued in 1993.<\/p>\n MHMSM.com posted EO #13563<\/a> months ago, that requires an examination of regulatory impact and its benefits.<\/p>\n MHARR is right.\u00a0 HUD’s budget has grown<\/a>, while our industry shipments have shrunk.\u00a0 What’s up with that fact?<\/p>\n What the president – at least on paper –\u00a0 has done is give us EO#13563 which could hold HUD and other regulators accountable.\u00a0 Now will our national associations use that to our Industry’s benefit?<\/p>\n The Fall Congressional hearing on Manufactured Housing<\/strong><\/p>\n Ooops.<\/em><\/p>\n Who do we have in DC “helping us” in the planned fall Congressional hearings on our Industry?\u00a0 Congressman Barney Frank.\u00a0 What’s up with that?<\/p>\n Let’s see.\u00a0 Barney helped give us the SAFE Act.\u00a0 Barney also gave us part of the name of the bill that in his: Dodd-Frank.<\/p>\n So do you feel safer<\/em><\/strong> or dodd-franked?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n With friends like Barney, does our industry need any federal enemies?<\/p>\n Who is watching how our industry PAC money is spent?\u00a0 Is this the type of anti-business candidate we need to support?<\/p>\n Where is that change we can believe in?\u00a0 Or did I drop that change the last time I filed my quarterlies?<\/p>\n One of the best meeting planners around, but…<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n I asked Tony Kovach why George Allen’s Roundtable<\/em> was not on the MHMSM.com calendar.\u00a0 “George isn’t an association, and he opted not to pay for an ad.”<\/p>\n Maybe there is considerable momentum from last year’s event that MHMSM.com did promote.\u00a0 I noticed that Allen is reporting more state association executives coming to the Roundtable<\/em><\/strong> this year.\u00a0 State execs are often \u2018comped\u2019 for coming to an event.\u00a0 George is one of the best self-promoters the Industry has seen in the past 2 decades.\u00a0 I\u2019d want state execs helping me promote an event of mine too.\u00a0 Nothing wrong with it, a common practice.<\/p>\n In the manufactured home communities world, Allen’s Roundtables<\/em><\/strong> are unmatched.\u00a0 Allen gets some fine speakers and topics in.\u00a0 They are informative and enjoyable.<\/p>\n However, I can’t always agree with George Allen\u2019s commentary, live or in his columns here or in his own publications.\u00a0 Let’s parse some of his recent ones for a few moments.<\/p>\n I understand and agree with George that MHI doesn’t seem to have a plan for our Industry’s recovery.\u00a0 What’s up with that fact?\u00a0 I can see why the natives are restless in the NCC, even with Lisa B getting appointed.<\/p>\n George is spot on that MHI is failing to do half of what an association is called to do \u2013 protect and promote.<\/em> <\/strong><\/p>\n But George\u2019s bashing of Danny and MHARR misses the mark.\u00a0 Why?<\/p>\n Because MHARR is an association for independent Manufacturers. <\/em> MHARR don’t get paid to represent communities or lenders or suppliers.\u00a0 MHARR doesn’t represent retailers,\u00a0 which if you ask retailers like Doug Gorman or Dick Moore, MHI doesn’t seem to do such a hot job for them either.<\/p>\n George, the point is that MHARR can\u2019t be faulted for focusing on what its members pay MHARR to do, namely, work on regulatory issues.\u00a0 So George, if you want to fault Danny, fault him for something that group is paid to do.\u00a0 At least MHARR has stated publicly they support the \u2018post production\u2019 sector (MHARR code words for MHI) in their efforts to modify Dodd-Frank, SAFE, etc.\u00a0 I’ve not seen any similar effort from MHI back towards MHARR.\u00a0 If it exists, it is behind the scenes.<\/p>\n I also agree with Marty Lavin <\/a>that we better watch more what people say than what people do.\u00a0 We better watch results, because words alone can be cheap.<\/p>\n Or words can costly, depending on how you look at it.<\/p>\n Industry Marketing and Image Campaign<\/strong><\/p>\n Speaking of MHI and the Industry image campaign…<\/p>\n …I’ve seen the plan Tony, IMHA’s Mark Bowersox<\/a> and others have put together.\u00a0 In a word, brilliant.<\/p>\n In my mind, they need to consider a different name, but for now they are calling it the Manufactured Housing Alliance and Phoenix Plan<\/a>.\u00a0 Their plan navigates the key political issues that our industry has faced that has kept us from moving ahead.<\/p>\n We keep reading from MHI the statistics about our dropping new home shipments<\/a>.\u00a0 \u00a0This gets back to the dual role that an association is supposed to have, protect and promote.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Where is MHI on this MH Alliance\/Phoenix Plan<\/a> effort to turn around our image, marketing and sales results?<\/p>\n Silent.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n By contrast. I see John Bostick’<\/a>s name on the page in favor of the MH Alliance\/Phoenix Plan.\u00a0 That makes me want to order some Sunshine Homes and get others to do the same!<\/p>\n Good for MHARR’s Chairman, who did not endorse it on MHARR’s behalf, but Mr. Bostick has obviously taken the time and had the guts to publicly say, hey, this can work.<\/em><\/p>\n Which leads to the questions:<\/p>\n > Where are the MHARR members or Danny on this plan?<\/p>\n > Where is MHI on this plan?<\/p>\n Marty Lavin on Danny Ghorbani<\/strong><\/p>\n I’m the first to agree with Marty that Danny<\/a> needs to polish up those lobbying skills.\u00a0 In fact, let me take Marty’s points a step farther.\u00a0 As I personally see it, and others may disagree, Danny has three options:<\/p>\n Danny, retire? What would happen to MHARR without Danny?\u00a0 What\u2019s up with that idea?\u00a0 Can you even say MHARR without saying Danny G\u2019s name?<\/p>\n Yes, you can.<\/p>\n Attorney and MHARR VP Mark Weiss is a good man.\u00a0 Mark knows the law, can be reasoned with and Danny has prepared him to take the helm at MHARR, when the time comes that Danny decides to retire or when MHARR members make that decision.<\/p>\n For example, MHARR could bring in a new associate, give Danny a nice gold watch, and a one year transitional consulting agreement. \u00a0The independent factories that support MHARR can save money.\u00a0 As or more important, they likely can get more done and advance their cause in DC with HUD, Congress and other regulators.<\/p>\n The timing is right for a change at MHARR.\u00a0 Danny, don\u2019t take it the wrong way, you are a smart guy and know the HUD Code as well as anyone in the manufacturing side of the Industry.\u00a0 But in my personal opinion, it is time to change your ways for the better or you better retire.<\/p>\n The best suits and fine meetings<\/strong><\/p>\n Danny has some of the best suits in DC that our Industry can brag about.\u00a0 Danny and MHARR are spot on with some key issues.\u00a0 But you can be right, and still do things in a way that turns people off.<\/p>\n But give the man his props, Danny is right about MHI meeting,<\/p>\n after meeting,<\/p>\n after meeting and<\/p>\n \u2026where is the MHI plan?<\/p>\n But then, Danny – if you stay – you and MHARR should then walk the walk and have an action plan of your own.<\/em> Not a some day, or five year plan, a let’s get it done now<\/em> plan.<\/p>\n Perhaps John Bostick’s public move supporting the MH Alliance\/Phoenix Plan <\/a>will inspire others of stature to make their own public statements or just help launch the program.<\/p>\n But at some point, we need to get past meetings, and get to doing.\u00a0 46,000 shipments.\u00a0 We are now down about 88% from our post HUD-Code high in 1998.\u00a0 How much lower can we go and still have an Industry?<\/p>\n The Numbers on MAP<\/strong><\/p>\n I like abbreviations. Let’s call this plan of Mark\u2019s and Tony\u2019s MAP<\/strong> for short, because this M<\/strong>H A<\/strong>lliance P<\/strong>hoenix <\/a>can be our road MAP<\/strong> to the future. Maybe we can get Tony and Mark to come up with a better name.\u00a0 But in the mean time, MAP it is for me.<\/p>\n I asked Tony to give me a projection on what he thinks MAP can do.\u00a0 His answer?\u00a0 First year from the launch date could double shipments without a need for hurricane season (no need for FEMA orders).<\/p>\n The next year could double it again.\u00a0 That would be roughly 92,000 shipments in year 1. Then 184,000 shipments in year two.<\/p>\n Take a look at the MAP<\/strong><\/a> if you haven’t already.\u00a0 If you have a better plan, why not share it?\u00a0 But if not, get behind the plan that is out there being discussed.<\/p>\n I’m told that MAP<\/strong> can be up and running in short order.\u00a0 We can do MAP<\/strong>, with no waiting for federal or state action!<\/p>\n Doing the Math, my Math not T<\/strong>\u2019<\/strong>s<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n Tony has his math, I have mine.<\/p>\n Let’s say MAP was launched, and then MAP raised shipments back to 75,000 the first year.\u00a0 Let’s further say, 1\/2 of the increase went into communities.<\/p>\n Would you give $75 per location to boost sales $1.45 Billion and create about $48 million in new communities revenues?<\/p>\n If not, please go back to 5th grade math.\u00a0 To me, this spells a good deal.<\/p>\n Let me stress, these are my numbers, not T\u2019s or Mark\u2019s.\u00a0 But it tells me why they and others are working to see this plan happen.<\/p>\n Chattel Lenders<\/strong><\/p>\n I’m not without experience in dealing with personal property lending. \u00a0While he wasn\u2019t talking about just lending, I agree with Chad Carr’s<\/a> recently published statement about MAP. \u00a0The MH Alliance\/Phoenix Plan is the only plan I’ve seen that gets to the heart of fixing chattel lending for our Industry.\u00a0 MAP provides solutions for image, lobbying and other practical issues too. It dares to be bold, without trying to step on any industry group\u2019s toes.<\/p>\n If your chattel lender has not yet seen this, she or he better do so!\u00a0 This can help us cut our repos losses dramatically.<\/p>\n It will help our customers – manufactured home owners – dramatically too.\u00a0 That will in turn attract more customers, and more credit worthy ones.<\/p>\n Manufactured housing lenders need to see our losses cut.\u00a0 Because that panel of lenders at the MHI Congress last April were correct.\u00a0 A repo can cost 50% (or more) of the loan balance. \u00a0\u00a0There are so many dark clouds that hang over personal property lending for manufactured housing right now, we have to have solutions if our Industry will ever advance.<\/p>\n In fact, our survival depends on it.<\/p>\n I asked Tony specifically about people who have and have not seen MAP.\u00a0 T won\u2019t comment about those who haven\u2019t shared a public statement. I can respect that, but it does leave us guessing.<\/p>\n So someone needs to ask Marty Lavin or Dick Ernst where they are on this.\u00a0 Have they seen it?\u00a0 What is there take?\u00a0 It is obvious that Ken Rishel <\/a>has come out for it, big time, in his own newsletter and on MHMSM.com too.<\/p>\n Come to think of it, where is George Allen\u2019s name on this subject?\u00a0 Didn\u2019t he say a few months ago, we needed an image campaign?\u00a0 What’s up with that?<\/p>\n We could go through a list of industry leaders and say, what about you?\u00a0 Where are you on this MAP subject?<\/p>\n If you are for it, why not say so publicly? If you oppose it, why and then propose your own alternative!\u00a0 Mark, Tony and those working on this want to see consensus. I appreciate that, but I’d add that we can\u2019t afford to debate stuff forever.\u00a0 We need to move ahead, and pronto.<\/p>\n If we do not start advancing, more factories, more retailers and more communities will fail.\u00a0 It is simply 5th grade math.<\/p>\n State and Communities Association leaders<\/strong><\/p>\n Given that a pair of state association leaders have already publicly stated support for the MH Alliance and Phoenix plan, it is reasonable to think others have seen it too.\u00a0 We need to watch and encourage this plan at the state level.<\/p>\n Because let’s be honest, the states are where it is at.\u00a0 All politics are local, and your business happens at the state and local level.<\/p>\n Last year, we saw some state execs who took a leadership role to get things happening at the federal level.\u00a0 We need to see that again, and we need to see that on MAP or their best alternative to it.<\/p>\n A pimple on an elephant’s bottom<\/strong><\/p>\n We’ve heard this expression at meetings and coffee tables.\u00a0 I admit it sadly fits the influence our Industry has politically in DC today.\u00a0 We need to be working tea parties to get the party of jobs, business and growth moving ahead. We need to hold the feet of those who say they will change DC for the better to the fire, and get the gold of jobs and rising housing back to work building the U.S.A.<\/p>\n We have lost our nation’s AAA credit rating.\u00a0 Debt piles up, what do we have to show for it?\u00a0 Where are the jobs?\u00a0 The lending?\u00a0 The recovery?\u00a0 What did we bail out anyway?\u00a0 Who benefited from all that taxpayer funded largess?<\/p>\n We saw some amazing upsets at the midterms, and I think we can see more if we plan now for the best candidates and then mobilize for the general elections.<\/p>\n It is frankly another good reason to learn and get behind the MAP<\/strong>.\u00a0 We will increase our influence at the state house and in Washington when our consumers are visibly supporting us in sizable numbers.<\/p>\n Let’s work and earn the support of our communities’ residents and home owners\/customers!\u00a0 Then we should make sure we continue to deserve it.\u00a0 Without happy customers, we are as doomed as if HUD bureaucrats or others would just shut us down.<\/p>\n TANSTAFL<\/strong><\/p>\n If I boiled this down, it would be this.\u00a0 We can’t have something for nothing.\u00a0 TANSTAFL = There is no such thing as a free lunch. Someone always pays.<\/p>\n We better work for truly positive change, or we will be left with pocket change.<\/p>\n We better look at and support a plan that can move us ahead.\u00a0 I vote for the MH Alliance\/Phoenix Plan<\/a>.\u00a0 Or we will suffer the fate of the buggy whip makers.<\/p>\n I shop at WalMart no more than I have to, because I believe in supporting the smaller and more independent business women and men out there.\u00a0 They are more like me.\u00a0 They want to serve me, and I in turn want to support them.<\/p>\n We better support the HUD Code builders, and they in turn, better support us too.<\/p>\n Talking and Doing.<\/strong><\/p>\n Before we look at any other emperor who also lacks clothes, let’s close for now. Talk is fine, but let’s follow talk with do.<\/p>\n I want to thank those of you who have written.\u00a0 Please do not think me rude, but for now\u2026<\/p>\n \u2026I hope you understand that some things need to be said that have gone unsaid too long.<\/p>\n More next time.##<\/p>\n post submitted by (Editor\u2019s note<\/em><\/strong><\/span>: The views presented on the\u00a0Industry Voices Guest Blog<\/em><\/strong> represent those of the writer.\u00a0 They do not necessarily represent the views of MHMSM.com (soon to be rebranded as MHProNews.com) or our sponsors.<\/p>\n We encourage a respectful exchange of opinions and views on topics of general interest to the Industry.\u00a0 Industry Voices <\/em><\/strong>guests columns are not a forum for business promotion; that is what advertising is supposed to do.<\/p>\n The Industry Voices<\/em><\/strong> forum encourages a respectful dialogue between industry members.\u00a0 You can post comments using our Disqus system or submit your own Industry Voices<\/strong><\/em><\/a> guest column in reply to a column like this topic or on any other topic of interest to the factory built housing Industry.\u00a0 Please put Industry Voices <\/em><\/strong>Guest Column in the subject line<\/strong> when you submit an article for consideration. Posted comments via Disqus and Industry Voices columns must stay within the boundaries of civility, the law and common sense.)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" There is a lot to say about what has gone wrong with our country and our Industry.\u00a0 We will begin ‘at the top,’ with our …<\/p>\n\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n Michael Barnabas<\/a><\/p>\n