From Hippies to HOAs

Beatniks and hippies. Intellectualism, drop in, drop out, communes, free-love, and berets. We traded that for the most intrusive and tyrannical form of government in the US.

We’re a long way from flower power! You weren’t likely a hippie but you might know a Member who was part of the ’60’s rebellion. Over the years those broken spirits have come to sit passively in a recliner.

What do you hear from the Federal, State or County? Not much. While government wields a big stick, it’s pretty benign in my day-to-day activities. I can expect it will raise taxes, deposit SS & Medicare, and fine me for speeding but I’m not likely to get a you’ve got a weed letter. In other words, it does not intrude in my daily life.

From an HOA you can expect control over your house & roof color, what choice of mailbox or plants, wasted postage on an alleged weed letters or other non-sense, observation by hidden cameras removing all sense of privacy, (those images can be passed amongst board members and on out to the internet), secretive meetings, speed limit enforcement, gossip about Members in financial despair or dissident Members, payments made to friends of the board without proof of invoice, parking enforcement, selective enforcement, intimidation ALL by tribunal authority. Rules so absurd that the HOA may restrict a kayak in the pool. Assessments may be used to maintain the landscape chairs yard with no Member approval. Policing and snooping by neighborhood rats who saw your dog defecate and want a DNA sample. They have your phone and emergency numbers, email address and a copy of the deed on your home. They raise assessments and may not get competitive bids for trash pickup, painting projects, road work, or pool service. Your elections may be fraudulent. Some HOAs are intruding into a Members credit by ordering a credit bureau report. They do not want gatherings at the community center particularly if discussing the HOA board. They can fine you. They do not have one penny invested in your property but can and will foreclose on your home. All this bc they know you are not the bright thinker but, of course, they are. This is not good government; IT IS TYRANNY. Even Libertarians don’t agree on whether a private contractual HOA is good or bad government.

Worse, we don’t get to learn much about a Member who runs for the board. Sure they love their spouse and are gobsmacked by a sports figure, but were they verified to be a homeowner? Do they hold a deed in their name? Do they have good credit? Have they used aliases? Do they have a criminal past? There’s never competition for the needy-ego volunteer czar. Never expect a-board-to-not-answer-to-you, the Member! Absolute power corrupts.

For more on HOA’s, please visit www.theHOAPrimer.org

If you are dealing w/an abusive board, contact HOATruth.com a free service. Dennis Legere is the Principal Advocate. You can always contact me at EarsUp@iCloud.com. Nope, you won’t get legal advice! Seek an attorney if you need one.