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I live in a small (47 house) sub-division, where my family is the only "color" in the neighborhood. There are a couple Rightwing/Teapartiers living here, in fact one lives directly across the street and directly behind my house. We all know each other and get along pretty well.
About two years ago, a group came around circulating a petition to limit the number of rental in the sub-division to the current number (4). This drive started when it was discovered that one owners was renting a house to her daughter and her daughter's boyfriend. Well, the kids got into a huge fight and when the police arrived, it was discovered that they had converted two of the four bedrooms into growing rooms and had about 30 adult plants.
When they got to my house, we had a great discussion ... "No, it is not true that rentals units in a neighborhood decreases the property value for the entire community ... that was a real estate myth started during the 70's and was directly related to stemming the flow of integration. In fact, well maintained rental properties with long term leases (2-5 year terms) can actually increase property values." And, "Why do you think that limiting the rentals would address this particular problem? In the 15 years that I've lived here, we've not had any problems with any of the rentals in the neighbor except this one and we're talking about Irene's daughter. But I'm sure you recall that we have had the police respond to a couple incidents at some of the owner-occupied houses."
But my main argument in opposition was that I will never agree to allow others to make financial decisions for me; "Yes, you can tell me what color to paint my house; but you cannot tell me what to do with my house." And for good measure, I turned to my teapartying neighbors and said, "I can't believe that you of all people would agree to give a group of near strangers, control over your property." Well, the proposition passed ... though the final vote and petition forms were never provided.
Fast forward two years. My teapartying neighbor from across the street, informed me that he was moving and that he planned to rent out his house. "Screw the association!" I just couldn't help myself from reminding him that he was one of prime movers behind the "no rental movement."
When he smuggly acknowledged that he was a hypocrite on this point, I really couldn't help myself. I told him, "Forgive me for any ill-feeling that you might feel, but you are so typical of your 'teaparty movement'. You want the right to do your own thing, which is fine; but you also want the right to make everyone else do what you want them to do; which isn't so cool. But for whatever reason, you do not seem to believe that the rules you want impose on others apply to you. Over the years, I've listened to you rant about 'those people and their entitlements' while you have not worked a day since you moved in because you 'have a bad back' ... truth is you have not worked a day because SSDI is paying your way. I've listened to you complain about 'those damned lazy-assed illegals', all while you hire them to do your yard work ... And now, you want to rent out your house and want to dare the association to enforce the prohibition that you helped to write? How do you do it? How can you live a life in which you are completely divorced from what you do?"
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