The HOA: Where freedom is lost.

Alright, this doesn't have much to do with being military, except that I've lived under quite a few rules laid down by apartments, landlords, HOA's, base housing, etc..  

HOA: Hierarchy Over America (because I won't use the more choice word for the "H".)  

We sacrifice so much of our freedoms already, being a military family, but HOA's take so much of our freedoms away.  I can see why they were established, but think they do more harm than good.  When neighbors complain that your garbage-can is out a couple of hours late on pick-up day, then something has gone terribly awry.  It seems these HOA's are the court of the absurd.  

Perhaps I'm a little miffed that someone made a complaint against us on our 2nd day in our home because our dog barked.  Never, in the 8 years we've had our dogs has anyone made a complaint against them, but our new HOA wanted to make sure we felt welcome as soon as we moved in.  Come-on, we weren't able to even wipe the dust from our feet, let alone remember to follow the myriad rules our neighbors have imposed upon us.  

Listen, if a neighbor's house smells bad, or they keep music going at all hours of the night, or if their dog barks excessively, then yes, it's nice to have some recourse so that you can have peace in your own home.   How a person decorates their home, or what colors they use, or when they put their trash can away should be their own business.  If someone else finds that offensive,well they can say, "at least I can decorate my house the way I want," and be grateful that those freedoms aren't in the hands of someone else.  

I can guarantee our dogs barked, but not excessively, and certainly not during sleeping hours.  We have always been mindful to keep them quiet out of respect for our neighbors, and ourselves.  I think someone was just looking for something to complain about, honestly.

We've heard of our neighbors being particularly careful in this neighborhood, for fear of the HOA.  We are not alone, at least.  

It just doesn't seem right to me. This kind of thing seems like "let your neighbors take your freedoms".  

If you have been blessed, and do not live under the authority of the HOA, be glad to have retained some of your freedoms.  :)