But, there are well know problems with an engineering career that other professions don't necessarily have. They seem to be the first laid off and the last rehired in a downturn, and it is also true in my experience that professionals working in corporate environments don't earn as much as their private practice peers unless they get into management, and that more proportionally engineers are employed in corporate employment that, say, lawyers.

People, Every collective action, especially those undertaken pursuant to private contractual arrangements such as CC&Rs, does do portend imminent communism. Sometimes it's necessary. It would be quite, quite impossible to set up a condominium without a strong governing board. I will concede, however, that the feelings expressed int his blog are quite common if not the majority.

For some reason the guys who developed your subdivision thought it would make the lots more valuable ( that's what they do- sell lots they have built out of the bald prairie) and probably spent some real money having the whole thing set up. Probably amateurs, out of business by now, huh?.

then the streets should be gold plated. If not, I suggest you look at the books. Most HOAs are formed under the nonprofit corporation laws and if you are a member, you can look at the books.

The CC&Rs protect you, but only if they are enforced. Usually you can do that yourself if you want to spend the money. Or you can call on the HOA and let the entire subdivision help with the cost.

Sherri, Just how high was your grass? Was the neighbor acting on behalf on the HOA? In my local area, we have a division of the city police dept called "neighborhood protection" that is charged with enforcing the codes against high grass (it can harbor vermin, you know), abandoned cars, etc. They can fine you if you fail to comply. Would you rather deal with the HOA or the police?

Diatribe; /'da???tra?b/ Show Spelled [dahy-uh-trahyb] Show IPA –noun a bitter, sharply abusive denunciation, attack, or criticism: repeated diatribes against the senator. Dictionary.com

It is the land developers --those warm and fuzzy folks who cut up land into lots, put in streets and utilities, and sell the lots to builders-- who draft and file the CC&Rs which set up the HOAs. No no one knows for sure, but I'd bet there aren't many liberals in that bunch.

If the developers are using HOAs in 90 per cent of the new homes as you mention, doesn't that tell you something? Do you suppose HOAs are a sort of developers' revenge against the homeowners? One could read this entire diatribe and never realize that HOA boards are elected by the homeowners, and are bound by the CC&Rs the developers chose to put in place just as the homeowners are. If you are unhappy with the actions of your HOA, run for the board and change things. My experience is that most HOAs are actively looking for members who will give the time and attention to community needs that the job requires. If you do find yourself in a subdivision without CC&Rs and an effective HOA, you are likely to be the worse for it. Good luck...

(W)hy in the world is the Obama administration intent on adopting what Europeans are rejecting? Because for leftists, more equality of means, more redistribution, multiculturalism and de-funding the defense capability are goals in themselves and they are willing to sacrifice excellence, prosperity and economic growth in order to achieve those goals. Oh yes, they're in charge, too.