Posted on 04/24/2002 9:34:45 AM PDT by Protagoras
To my surprise, when contractors came by for estimates, I was told: You can't do that. The old baluster/rail height and spacing weren't "up to code," and I would be required to install MUCH higher and more closely spaced new ones to keep children from climbing over or falling through.
(It's "for the children," you see. It doesn't matter that we have no small children, and the porch is only 18 inches above soft ground!)
I just kept interviewing carpenters until I found one who didn't care about the damned code.
But the nanny state is here, and it's going strong.
And getting stronger. And the scary thing is that people just accept it. Hell, they even embrace it. I'm afraid we are almost too far gone to stop the process.
Someone else once said "It's an awkward time in America, it's too late to save the country peacefully, and too early to shoot the bastards". The authors name escapes me momentarily, it is Claire something.
AMEN
Me: Can you apply for a variance? Shouldn't be necessary for a simple fence, but.....
You: Why should I have to apply for anything? Why do I need anyones permission to build a fence on my own property? Why should I concede to them that they have any legitimate power to force me to build things as they see fit, and not as I see fit?
me: Don't think anybody will do anything to you if you simply put a fence up.
you: Really? Don't be sure. And why would it matter if I do "get away" with it? The fact would remain that they could use force against me if they so chose to do so.
Me: Then get a variance or permit and put your fence up. Take your neighbor to court if he gives you a hard time. You'll never get anywhere by arguing both sides of an argument and not doing anything about resolving your issues.
No new construction, no permit, no bureauacrats!!!
You don't seem to get it. I will do what I have to do to put my fence up. But if you think the proper course of action is to play their games and get their permits and apply for their variances and sue my neighbor, you have missed the entire point.
I shouldn't have to do any of those things. The correct course of action is to convince people like you that all that BS is improper and that you should be joining up with other citizens to throw these thugs out of office and reclaim our rights.
You seem to be talking about building fences and working within the system. I am talking about the erosion of my rights and the danger of having attitudes that allow this kind of intrusion to start in the first place.
What ever happened to America?
Advice about how to "get around" the law is in abundance. It may come as a surprise that I needed no such advice. I am as devious as the next person at avoiding the thugs.
The point is that I should not have to do any of these things. The point is that my rights are being violated by government, in this case, my neighbors. Not my next door neighbors, but all of the people who live in my community and go along with (and even support) this kind of tyranny.
No new construction, no permit, no bureauacrats!!!
Now you are getting the idea. Get rid of the problem at the source, don't put a band aid on an infection. Cure the infection. In this case, that means taking back our government and reclaiming our rights. NO PERMITS, NO BUREAUCRATS. Not by stealth, but by right.
Who thinks these paternalistic laws (to protect me from my own decisions, good or bad) are the proper role of government in a free society?
Who thinks that we should thwart these laws by getting around them, (legally or illegally) or alternately, who thinks that we need to take back our country starting with local government? (which is nothing more than our neighbors hiring armed people to do government work, for good or evil)
I can understand concrete, but sunk 42"? What's back there, a bog?
Maybe the difference is being out in the county .. not within any city limits.
Why don't you continue on your merry way, igoring them and pretending the problem doesn't exist. Maybe it doesn't exist for all practical purposes where you live. But it still exists in the rest of America.
While you do that, some of the rest of us will give up our effort and our treasure to defend your rights? Someone has to carry the weight while some others slack off. Otherwise, who will the slackers turn to for leaders when the government thugs come for their freedoms, and they are finally ready to fight?
"When they came for the Jews, I did nothing because I wasn't a Jew."
Sorry to sound harsh, but ignoring them isn't an option for liberty loving Americans.
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