Tag: HOA-Land

HOAs undermine principles of democratic America

The immediate reaction to the title of this editorial comment from the vast majority of readers, is as I suspect,

Unbelievable, wild statement; No way; I love my HOA; the volunteers work for the community; the board of directors has my interests at heart; I can vote for the directors and on other matters, And anyway, I really don’t care, I’m happy with the amenities, facilities, and protection of my property value.

This blindness toward compliance with the US Constitution and the laws of the land can be traced to the culture of the HOA-Land Nation as I presented in Part 1 of The HOA-Land Nation Within America. As for the false argument that because members can vote for a board of directors makes the HOA democratic, ignores the reality of Cuba, China, Russia, North Korea and other countries where people can also vote for their leaders.  Voting alone does not make a democracy.

Other aspects of the HOA model of government that illustrate departures from public government, the Constitution and laws of the land can be found in the HOA-Land Nation publication: lack of oversight protections and the absence of a separation of powers, especially there is no independent judicial function for fair hearings; an absence of meaningful  penalties against acts of the Board amounting to absolute immunity; and inadequate fair election procedures as found in public elections.

In all practicality, the HOA private government is based on a business model and not a municipality model, and whoever described a business as being democratic?  As such, following the business model, the HOA is a one-party government; the party of the incumbents who control the selection of candidates, who can vote, and the election procedures designed to keep the establishment in power.

Here’s what Gandhi had to say about one-party governments and democracy. With the independence of India from British control in 1947, Mahatma Gandhi reflected on the dominance of the Indian National Congress Party over the newly formed government.

“[Gandhi] realized that a one-party system could actually be a no-party system, for when the government and party are one, the party is a rubber stamp and leads only to a fictitious existence.

‘Without free criticism and potent opposition, democracy dies.

‘Without political criticism and opposition, a nation’s intellect, culture and public morality stagnate; big men are purged and small men become kowtowing pygmies. The leaders surround themselves with cowards, sycophants and groveling yes-men whose automatic approval is misread as a tribute to greatness.’”

(The Life of Mahatma Gandhi, Louis Fischer, The Eaton Press, collector’s edition (1988, initially 1950).

The common culture within the HOA-Land Nation treats any criticism, any opposition, any independent thought not supported or approved by the board of directors as subversive. The members are inculcated into adopting and supporting this attitude and treat such views as harmful to the peace and harmony of the community.  Committees of members — opposing political parties – are attacked and treated with hostility. Free political speech and dissent is not tolerated.  

With 23% plus Americans living in HOA-Land, the HOA culture has had its effect on national, state and local politics; ignoring the Constitution and laws of the land are easily acceptable and do not constitute a problem for HOA members. 

Lost Constitution webinar #3 available

Veritas para justitia

(truth for justice)

The Restoring the Lost Constitution to HOA-Land webinar introductory series has concluded with #3.  The accompanying # 3 script here: here.

The three introduction to the Plan videos can be found here:

#1, https://vimeo.com/421950279
#2, https://vimeo.com/426813340
#3, https://vimeo.com/427795232   

It can be viewed here:  https://vimeo.com/427795232 and

The overall intent and purpose of this webinar series is the education and reorientation of HOA members, especially the board of directors,  to long ignored issues of constitutional validity; issues that the public will not find in the propaganda from the Evil Empire. It is an introductory presentation and  required reading to better understand my proposed action plan set forth in A Plan Toward the Restructuring of the HOA Model of Governance, now on Amazon.com[1]

I continue to read that more and more homeowners are surprised why they lose in court, and before their legislature and before their board of directors.  I believe that a good part of these failures is because the issues at hand run very deep and are not the superficial day-to-day operational issues facing homeowners, not that they are not important.  The successful resolution can only come from standing behind the broadest levels of authority and exposing the many violations by our elected officials at all levels: the US Constitution, the Bill of Rights and the Declaration of Independence which constitute the organic laws of America.[2] 

Every argument not raising these democratic principles is a tacit recognition that serves to accept the validity and constitutionality of the HOA legal scheme and governing model, and of the laws in support of HOA-Land.  You lose from the start!

Notes

[1] Visit Amazon. (June 11, 2020).

[2] Organic law is the fundamental basis of a government. The Homes Association Handbook and UCIOA constitute, in my view, the organic law for HOA governed planned communities. In contrast, the U.S. Code defines the organic laws of the United States to include the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, the Northwest Ordinance, and the U.S. Constitution. (US Statutes At Large, 1789 –1875, Vol. 18, Part I, Revised Statutes (43rd Congress, 1st session), p. v and vi). The organic laws of HOA-Land are replacing the organic laws of the US as applied to local government.

HOAs deny opposition free speech

This morning on CNN Michael Smerconish discussed the question of free speech with respect to disagreeing with a position.  In this highly sensitive environment too often a disagreement with a position evokes an angry demand to remove or not publish the statement. That is not free speech but, as Smerconish said, “my-speech.”  It is not asking for agreement but free speech – let the other person have his say. Let a dialogue ensue which is a must for a healthy democracy.

In the culture of the HOA-Land Nation, any opposition to, or criticism of, the HOA or its board of directors is too often met with angry condemnation, character assassination, ostracization, and the non-publishing of the opposition voice. Some HOAs give the appearance of concern but  only provide token  Q & A dialogues with no real exchange of the issues. This open opposition to free speech is endemic to the HOA-Land culture and reflects an undemocratic, authoritarian cult-like environment.

Problems with HOAs, as we are all aware of, cannot be resolved when member criticism and opposition is squelched as a matter of policy.  Until the members say, “enough is enough” and demand constitutional reforms the problems will continue unresolved.

Lost Constitution webinar series – #1

I’d like to thank the attendees at this first of a series of seminars on Restoring the Lost Constitution to HOA-Land. It was my first Hosting displaying important documents.

As mentioned in the seminar, I am primarily focused on legalities but also concerned about the lack of ethical and moral values surrounding HOA-Land.  As an update, I had a recent call from a disabled widow who was allowed to have a front gate in her HOA for 23 years.  A new BOD arrived and differences arose resulting in  a citation for unapproved gate.  The BOD said prove the approval by  some prior BOD, and she couldn’t.  What happened to  the attributes of a genuine healthy community of neighbors helping another in distress, who have compassion and a charitable heart, all making for  a healthy “village”?  NADA!

Welcome to the New America of HOA-Land.

I hope you will find the webinar (see link below) helpful and useful in bringing about necessary changes by alerting your HOA BOD and fellow members as to the real nature of HOA-Land; and the private agenda of CAI.  This webinar argued, and provided documentation, that the dominant entity,  promoting its role as an educator, proclaimed HOAs to be independent principalities operating without government and judicial oversight.  And preferred it that way. That is really secessionist if you think about it for a moment. And harmful to our democratic system of government and its values and principals.

I will invite you all again for the continuation of Introduction as I delve deeper into what HOA-Land is all about; and CAI’s role and dominance over the legislators, the media, the BODs  and HOA members.  I am considering having a panel of a few advocates for an interchange of views. Temporary date is scheduled for Friday, June 5th.

I have uploaded the recording for all to see and distribute with accreditation. Look here  https://vimeo.com/421950279.

What the Lost HOA Constitution webinar will reveal

Veritas para Justitia  (Truth for Justice)

May 22, 2020 11:00 AM PDT

To receive an invitation please respond to gks256@NYU.edu with “webinar” as the subject and the email address that you will use to participate

The 1964 Homes Association Handbook is the HOA “bible.” Here’s an example of the objectives of the origins of HOA-Land:

The last paragraph of the Foreword by the then ULI (Urban Land Institute) President reads:

“It is our firm belief that the information and recommendations contained in the handbook will be of major value to land developers, planners, home builders, appraisers, mortgage lenders, realtors, attorneys, association officers, and public officials concerned with the planning, development, and operation of stable and attractive residential areas for the home owner and the community.”

Reads like a money-making venture with a social value attached. Like selling a business product for the backers. The Handbook has no references to questions of local government or constitutional validity. But over the course of years HOAs have been sold as protecting property values, the greatest form of democracy, and “care-free living” among other “community” connotations. All purchased under a real estate contract and not under a commercial business or stock contract. Is this misrepresentation?

More can be found in the webinar.