<![CDATA[Grist - Comment Feed for Homeowner associations restrict eco-friendly practices in favor of aesthetics]]> Grist Comment Feed en Comment #1 by Russ http://www.grist.org/article/lets-handcuff-the-property-cops/ Tue, 12 Aug 2008 05:33:19 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/lets-handcuff-the-property-cops/1 quasi-government

In many places the figure is much higher than that 20%. Indeed in some places it's nigh on impossible to buy a new house without it being part of an HOA (just part of the dismantling of public services everywhere).

So where these associations are acting as de facto governments, we need to get past the fraudulent frame that these are voluntary private groups to whom the constitution and state or federal law does not apply.

(Other examples include Walmart or Blockbuster, who forfeit any right to private censorship, and should be forced to honor the 1st amendment, where they have driven alternative media providers out of business. Here they, as the intentional result of their business practices, have voluntarily assumed a quasi-governmental mantle.)  

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In many places the figure is much higher than that 20%. Indeed in some places it's nigh on impossible to buy a new house without it being part of an HOA (just part of the dismantling of public services everywhere).

So where these associations are acting as de facto governments, we need to get past the fraudulent frame that these are voluntary private groups to whom the constitution and state or federal law does not apply.

(Other examples include Walmart or Blockbuster, who forfeit any right to private censorship, and should be forced to honor the 1st amendment, where they have driven alternative media providers out of business. Here they, as the intentional result of their business practices, have voluntarily assumed a quasi-governmental mantle.)  

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