The new government
Go Deeper.
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OK, bear with me now. This isn't about the election, per se. But then again, Polinaut isn't about the election per se. And this is something I've been kicking around in my head for the last week or so and still can't get my arms completely around it... in a political sense.
But the subject is homeowners associations and the topic entered my noggin' last week with a piece in the Pioneer Press, "Welcome to the blurbs, now follow the rules." Oddly, it didn't generate much reaction, which -- considering its in the suburbs and MSM -- and apparently most bloggers -- don't really give a rip about the 'burbs -- shouldn't be surprising.
See, this guy put up a basketball hoop in the backyard. But, because it was a real hoop -- embedded in the ground an all -- and not one of those plastic fill-it-with-water-so-it-won't-get-blown-down type of things -- the local homeowners association took him to court.
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It's in our cultural nature to avoid conflict in general," said Paul Hanscom, ssistant director of the Minnesota chapter of the Community Associations Institute.
Oh, don't kid yourself, Paul. It's not about any such thing. It's about passive aggressive and a desire that everything looks the same. But, I digress.
Did you notice anything about the story? Lakeville and Woodbury were the two suburbs mentioned and both are among the most staunch enclave of Republican support, which is fine with me.
What I haven't been able to qjuite understand is how this new form of government -- and isn't that what this is -- squares with the Republican ideal to limit the size and scope of government?
As local government is scaled back -- and I realize we're talking hypothetical here -- does quasi-government spring up to replace it? And, if so, how do we feel about quasi government in the "less government" sphere?
Presumably, the folks in the 'burbs who have embraced this new form of government, do so because it "protects" their property values, which of course is another way of saying they can make more money when they sell their home. But look at cities like Woodbury, Excelsior, White Bear Lake and Edina. Comparatively speaking, their high-tax cities with high property values. Is there a connection? And, if so, why is there a disconnect between those taxes and those property values as there is with the quasi government?
Now, keep in mind I tend to like politics at the local level much more than the stuff at the high fallutin' level, but I think this whole question is going to end up on the laps of the local elected officials.
In fact, I notice in the PiPress today that the Blaine City Council tomorrow night has an item on the agenda to "consider a resolution to eliminate the need for a Homeowners' Association and to allow for different home styles and square footages within the plat for the Deacon's Forest addition."
Next to leash laws, I can't imagine a bigger hot potato in local politics.
Like I said, I haven't got it all figured out yet from a political standpoint, so give me a hand and discuss.
