How HUD Makes Lousy Programs Look Great
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By John Anthony
When federal agencies promote programs, like Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing, or Common Core they conduct sophisticated and often deceptive marketing campaigns that cover up their downsides.
Flowery slogans like, “transportation options are fundamental to having a shot at the American Dream,” and “Economic diversity is the path to better outcomes for all American children,” may sound moving. The truth about the programs is often disturbing.
The Department of Education (USED) and DOT use the above phrases to market a federal scheme to regionalize and densify communities by shuffling students to new communities in the name of “income diversity.” (ID is the government’s buzzword for a student’s path to success.)
Whether their programs are to “protect the environment,” (Regional Sustainable Development,) develop “college and career ready” children (Common Core,) or create a platform to “improve adult outcomes” (HUD’s AFFH,) agencies pump up the benefits to the uninitiated public, with little regard for the destructive effects of their plans.
If a private business engaged in similar deceptive practices as our government, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau would probably fine them out of business. Unfortunately, consumers have little protection against federal dishonesty. With a dysfunctional Congress and a disturbingly powerful executive, it is up to informed citizens working with local public officials to protect our own interests.
Here are four common ways our government deceives the American people.
Cherry-picked reports
When federal agencies start projects the public may reject, they often cite research studies proving the wisdom and importance of their program. This “research” also demonstrates the agency’s professionalism and due diligence.
But their studies often are little more than weak justifications for programs that frequently cause more harm than benefit to communities and to the intended beneficiaries.
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