Dr. Ben Carson's "Inexperience" Can Be An Asset

By Chris Rossini

President-Elect Trump has nominated Dr. Ben Carson to lead the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), one Washington's biggest boondoggles, creator of "the projects," and unconstitutional piece of the welfare state cornucopia.

Incoming Senate minority leader Senator Chuck Schumer laments: “I have serious concerns about Dr. Carson’s lack of expertise and experience in dealing with housing issues..."

Carson's inexperience, in this case, can actually be an asset. He's untarnished and not a part of the inherent corruption that has had a free ride on American indifference.

What an opportunity for an outsider to come in and clean house (no pun intended).

HUD, which was formed as part of LBJ's "Great Society," has been destroying neighborhoods for decades, while simultaneously lining the pockets of politically-connected contractors. The department's creation is yet another example of government fixing problems (that it creates) with an even bigger problem:

Jim Ostrowski explains:

Government creates its own demand here as in other areas. First, it inflates the cost of housing through regulation, taxes and zoning. Then, it reduces the income of the poor through taxes, fees, occupational licensure, compulsory schooling and many other regulations. Having manufactured large numbers of poor people and created a shortage of affordable housing for them, it then created HUD in an attempt to solve the problem.

As with everything, government solutions only make things worse. HUD has not been an exception to the rule. Even former HUD Secretary Henry Cisneros admitted to Congress in June 1993: "HUD has in many cases exacerbated the declining quality of life in America." 

What kind of "experience" does Senator Schumer think Carson needs? The ability to waste tens of billions in taxpayer dollars? Or should Carson have "expertise" in destroying neighborhoods and lining the pockets of fat cats?

Carson needs to rein in this monstrosity. No experience needed.

The only caveat is that Carson needs to understand how destructive HUD really is to America.

Carson has displayed malleability in the past. As Robert Wenzel points out: Carson "appeared to change his view on minimum wages once it was explained to him by an economist how horrific they are."

Dr. Carson, please "drain the swamp" and get government out of housing as much as you possibly can. You'll set off a building boom in cheap, private, and cared for places to live.