Tag: John Adams

Constitutional weakness as applied to HOA-Land

Yes, I admit the Constitution based on democratic principles and values  is not perfect. It is not an end-state but a practice. Democracy requires an active and informed electorate especially when applied to HOAs.  And so, the will of the people —  the voice of the people — in practicality is measured and expressed by majority vote. A “majority”  implies the existence of factions, of people with differing views and attitudes.

The Founding Fathers had to address the issue of the will of the majority trampling on the rights of the minority.  Since democratic principles require all the people to be  treated equally, how do you deal with factions within the  community?  John Adams, in The Federalist Papers #10 and #51, attempts to resolve this weakness.

Madison defines a faction as “a number of citizens, whether amounting to a minority or majority of the whole, who are united and actuated by some common impulse of passion, or of interest, adverse to the rights of other citizens.” Like we see in HOA-Land, most predominately it’s a small minority in control because of member apathy; or the acquiescence of a majority of  members who believe the BOD can do no wrong.

Madison’s best answer is for democracy to function in a larger group or society where we can expect to have several factions vying and contending with each other for dominance, making it more difficult, but not eliminating, for a majority clique to dominate. (I am sure the Fathers  are rolling over in their graves due to the Trump Era politics). As reality has revealed over the years, it’s wishful thinking in HOA-Land.

The existence of a well-informed, knowledgeable, and involved citizenry is necessary for a healthy democratic society or community. That’s why free speech and the freedom of the press was made the first amendment to the Bill of Rights.  That is why public education is mandated by having states provide public schooling within the state. It doesn’t exist in fat, dumb, and stupid HOA-Land, unless provided by CAI’s “political correctness” education.

HOA beliefs, passions vs. facts

I have written extensively on the mindset, points of views and beliefs of the vast majority of homeowners in HOAs and of those of the media and legislators across this country.[1]

As part of my Plan[2] I made reference to Plato’s cave allegory[3] on educating persons to a new view of life. In short, his dialogue speaks of people seeing only shadows within the cave where they dwell who attempt to come into the light to see reality. Here is a shorter, more understandable argument from John Adams.

“Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passion, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence.”

Unfortunately, the difficulty in any reeducation or reorientation program lies in the reality that most people “can’t handle the truth.”

Notes

[1] See Part 1, social and political dynamics, in The HOA-Land Nation Within America at Amazon.com).

[2] See Plan Toward the Restructuring of the HOA Model of Governance.

[3] See “The Allegory Of The Cave”, Plato, Republic, VII 514 a, 2 to 517 a, 7 (trans. Thomas Sheehan).