In response to the article “Biden’s plan to make mobile homes greener sparks fierce debate,” Jan. 23, I say it’s about time. Having lived in a mobile home for 12 years in the past, I can safely say that quality and energy efficiency have never been high on the list of priorities for mobile home manufacturers. While our home was new, I still remember the frosted windows, constant furnace operation, drafts and roof leaks if we forgot to rake the snow to prevent ice dams and frozen pipes. When I went to upgrade the frosted windows, I then discovered the shoddy construction. The only other industry that compares with mobile home manufacturers is the RV industry! Both have peddled shoddy merchandise covered by glamour and glitz: It may not be insulated, but we can throw in the big screen TV and electric fire place. The mobile home industry is also like the auto industry where product efficiency doesn’t change unless mandated by the government across the industry.
Low-income mobile home buyers can be lured by the first cost without regard for ongoing operating costs. Maybe as part of the new standards, actual operating costs need to be attached to the home, much like appliances. Let’s not sell more cheap housing stock to those that can least afford high operating costs. If a home costs $20,000 more but avoids $36,000 over 10 years in operating costs, I say let’s do it.
I’m a proponent of “Net-Zero” construction for all new buildings. Vermod is only one manufacturer that has proven the concept. Attention to detail in thermal bridging and air sealing contributes little to construction costs but pays huge benefits to energy efficiency; additional insulation is an incremental cost. We should not be building any housing units that are not at least compatible with Net-Zero construction.
Gary L. Hutchins
Enfield
Biden’s first year was a huge success. Take note:
■$1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan was estimated to cut child poverty in half.
■The ACA was expanded so more than 4.6 million additional Americans will have health insurance coverage.
■Money from the ARP fired up consumer spending, and by the end of 2021, U.S. companies were seeing 15% profit margins, higher than any since 1950.
■Companies reduced debt, leading to a strong stock market.
■Jobless rate fell from 6.2% in January to 4.2% in December.
■4.1 million jobs were created — more than were created in 12 years of the George W. Bush and Trump presidencies combined.
■The $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill will expand broadband to people who don’t yet have it and repair bridges and roads.
■U.S. economic output was up over 7% in the last three months of 2021, and growth overall for 2021 was predicted to be around 6%. For 2022, it was around 4%, the highest growth records in decades.
■Biden got us out of Afghanistan, honoring Trump’s commitment vs. sending in more troops.
■U.S. troops left Iraq, ending an 18-year stay.
■Biden rejoined the WHO and the Paris Climate Accord, and Secretary of State Blinken is working to rebuild NATO from the disastrous Trump years.
■Biden focused on fighting terrorists by defunding them instead of using U.S. troops on the ground.
■Drone strikes were virtually eliminated. Four have been authorized so far. Trump authorized 1,600 in the first 11 months.
■Biden built up the use of economic sanctions on international criminals and prosecution of international criminal behavior to stop the flow of money to terrorists.
■Biden is closing foreign tax shelters with the help of Janet Yellen by creating an agreement on an international minimum tax.
I give him an A-minus. And note all this was done in the setting of an unprecedented campaign of lies by his predecessor to undermine the legitimacy of his presidency. Who else ever had to deal with that? Yes, inflation is bad, but it’s a global phenomenon that can’t all be blamed on Biden.
Leslie MacGregor
Grantham
In his inaugural address, Biden stated, “Let’s begin to listen to one another again. Hear one another, see one another, show respect to one another. Politics doesn’t have to be a raging fire, destroying everything in its path.” This will require both Democrats and Republicans to acknowledge the shared goals that both sides desire, which can be achieved only with cooperation.
Given the polarization in our society, many of our political leaders are captives of their ideology and doctrinaire in their actions. Taking their cues, citizens have devolved into hostile camps willing to act aggressively against the other perceived as the enemy. Agreeing with the other camp on divisive political issues is often perceived as “giving in” or “a betrayal.” With this mindset, being open to and listening to different views is not possible.
Currently, our political discourse blocks effective communication. Probably the most graphic example of this is Newt Gingrich’s (House Speaker from 1995 to 1999) recent prediction that if Republicans take control of Congress, the Jan. 6 committee will face “a real risk of jail for the kind of laws they’re breaking.” Other behaviors that preclude effective conversation are: “I know everything about them — they’re jerks” and “So-and-so didn’t listen. He just jumped in and tried to solve the problem.” Many politicians sow division that leads to a contest between “us” and “them” — “we” are good and pure, while “they” are evil and corrupt.
Publicly identifying shared goals embraced by both parties will counter these behaviors. To enhance this, Stuart E. Eizenstat, American diplomat and attorney, suggests “a Democrat can earn respect from Republican colleagues by treating them as potential allies, not enemies, and by seeking compromises not confrontation.” Conversations need to be put in a problem-solving frame no matter what an opponent says. If we look behind a position for the underlying interests that drive the demands, we tend to create more flexibility for ourselves.
To enhance reciprocal conversation and to understand how others see the world, we need to ask two questions: “Am I curious? Do I care?”
Bob Scobie
West Lebanon