Donnelly Misses Opportunity to Offer Real Assistance, Opts for "Feel Good" Resolution

ELKHART, IN -- This week's announcement by Monaco Coach that the company is slashing 1,400 jobs from three plants in northern Indiana comes as no surprise to Elkhart citizens. The world's self-proclaimed capital of manufactured housing and RV's is experiencing cuts -- deep cuts -- across the both industries.

While analysts and business pundits weigh the future of the industries, Elkhart is smack in the middle of what appears to be nearing depression. Job cuts in the thousands have hit long-established companies such as Dutchmen, Coachmen, Newmar and Terra Vista, in addition to the Monaco cuts.

Fears are strong that the wave will hit Elkhart's second tier of RV and housing suppliers.

To stem the fears and real economic hardships, freshman Congressman Joe Donnelly had the "feel good" remedy of the year. He sponsored H.R. 1010 in June recognizing the "importance of manufactured housing in the U.S." That news is sure to make the displaced workers in his district feel better.

Following a worthy list of "whereas" statements, his resolution notes,

"Be it resolved, That the House of Representatives --

1. recognizes the importance of manufactured housing in providing decent, sustainable, and affordable housing;
2. recognizes the importance of manufactured housing in contributing to homeownership in the United States;
3. recognizes the importance of homeownership, including homeownership of manufactured homes, in building strong communities and families; and
4. recognizes and fully supports the goals and ideals of Manufactured Housing Week and National Homeownership Month.

The industries have taken a beating with the government's mismanagement of Hurricane Katrina relief, gas prices, tight credit markets and general poor consumer confidence.

If only Rep. Donnelly would tackle the bigger issues, Elkhart residents and displaced workers may find some true relief. In the meantime, they'll just have to feel good that their former industry is "important to the United States."