Hanukkah or Chanukah, they are each a name for a minor Jewish feast that celebrates a Festival of Lights.
For Christians, the birth of Jesus celebrates the True Light that came into the world to set believers free. The two religious celebrations are often quite close or overlap on the calendar.
Near the darkest – least amount of daylight – of the year, these celebrations are a reminder that good and evil abide in the world. Only light casts out darkness. Metaphorically, only the light of truth casts out the darkness of selfishness, indifference or evil. Never forget that in the accounts of the story of Jesus, as a youth, there were times that his family was homeless.
Some 7 to 8 million units of affordable housing are a necessity. While certain officials posture and promise all sorts of costly solutions, the reality is that the causes and cures for affordable housing were studied time and again for decades.
Many may not realize it, but legislation has already passed by widely bipartisan margins to deal with the issue of housing, affordability and to give access to financing for even people of modest means. One bill was signed into law by Democratic President Williams J. ‘Bill’ Clinton, the other by Republican President George W. Bush.
Carefully considered, the character of Mr. Henry Potter in “It’s a Wonderful Life” was a greedy monopolist who corruptly manipulated the system in the town of Bedford Falls. The Building and Loan made it possible for renters to become homeowners. Potter hated that and therefore wanted to control or destroy it.
There are times one is wise to take Warren Buffett at his word and at face value, but on other occasions one is arguably prudent to ponder the chairman of Between Hathaway’s meaning as a mere head fake. The quote below is of the first kind.
Berkshire owned Clayton Homes President and CEO Kevin Clayton has praised Buffett and said repeatedly in the video interview near the end of the report linked below that he wants to do thinks in the manner Buffett taught him. Consider that at face value. So as with Buffett, some things Kevin Clayton and his brand have claimed may be true while others are arguably aim to be a clever deception.
As was noted above, there are good laws on the federal books that if properly understood and applied would steadily correct numerous problems found in our nation today.
Mr. Potter in the movie clearly had specific officials and bankers in his pocket. Here’s how that’s framed in part of the movie dialogue with the George Bailey, according to IMBD.
Mr. Potter: George, I am an old man and most people hate me. But I don’t like them either, so that makes it all even. You know just as well as I do that I run practically everything in this town but the Bailey Building and Loan. You know, also, that for a number of years I’ve been trying to get control of it. Or kill it. But I haven’t been able to do it. You have been stopping me. In fact, you have beaten me, George, and as anyone in this county can tell you, that takes some doing. Now take during the Depression, for instance. You and I were the only ones that kept our heads. You saved the Building and Loan, I saved all the rest.
George Bailey: Yes, well, most people say you stole all the rest.
Mr. Potter: The envious ones say that, George. The suckers…”
Ponder This
Which federal officials might Mr. Buffett have in his pocket so that his “Castle and Moat” vision is protected? How many such officials does it actually take?
Answer. Surprisingly few.
Keep in mind that if Buffett and Kevin Clayton at times say one thing, but arguably are deceptively meaning another, it should be no surprise if some public officials are doing similarly too.
Here’s a link to last year’s story on this theme. It is complimentary to but different than this one.
Next, here are links to various local newspapers across Florida that in just 200 words summarizes the monopolization of affordable housing. They’re much the same, but in case you want to send a link to someone in that same town, take your pick.
Google Search Results
Jacksonville, FL – The Florida Times-Union
Letter: Protecting Warren Buffett’s castle and moat vision
– 12.17.2019
Letter: Protecting Warren Buffett’s castle and moat vision
– 12.17.2019
Letter: Protecting Warren Buffett’s castle and moat vision
– 12.17.2019
Letter: Protecting Warren Buffett’s castle and moat vision
– 12.17.2019
Letter: Protecting Warren Buffett’s castle and moat vision
– 12.17.201
Every Christmas or other holiday, there are millions who celebrate and rejoice. But there are also those who lead lives of quiet desperation. Each ought to look to the other in constructive ways to lawfully lift up people from the plight of low economic opportunities through the wealth-building potential of home affordable ownership.
Failing to do tackle these issues results in the spread of homelessness. Maybe you already live in a city where people live in tents, cardboard boxes, a vehicle that may or may not be running or whatever shelter someone can find.
The word ‘holiday’ is a contraction of the words ‘holy day.’ This holiday season consider sharing one of those links above along with this to a friend. Each one, reach one. Then, dig deeper for more than awareness, look to understand the issues, because know it or not they impact you and others that you know and care about. When you feel you understand the issues well enough and are ready, contact public officials. Ask them, why are these laws that were passed that were meant to deal with these issues not being properly enforced?
When Liberty Films produced “It’s a Wonderful Life,” they crafted a movie packed with layers of meaning. More on that another time.
In the meantime, we should all try to be a bit more like George Bailey. Discover more about these issues in articles like the ones linked below. People of good will can make the world a better place. The video below was filmed during a prior holiday with actual manufactured home owners. From our family to you and yours, Merry Christmas and happy holidays to all.
“We Provide, You Decide.” © (Affordable housing, manufactured homes, lifestyle news, 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.
Connect on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/latonykovach
Related References:
The text/image boxes below are linked to other reports, which can be accessed by clicking on them.