Unsure is the emphasis on "freely" is sarcasm but people absolutely don't have freedom when it comes to accepting HOA terms. If the house you can get has a shitty HOA then you're stuck with it. It took us dozens of offers (all well over asking price) before we finally had one that got through and there's no way we'd be able to be picky about HOA.
You are conflating "free choice" with options that perfectly align with your preferences. I made no such claim. You are absolutely free to not buy a house.
And, I promise you, you can find a home to purchase that is non-HOA. It just might not be in the area that meets all of your other preferences. But this is your choice. This is not evidence of a lack of freedom. You are not coerced into buying any house.
> people absolutely don't have freedom when it comes to accepting HOA terms
Of course they do.
If you don't like income tax, move to WA. If you don't like sales tax, move to OR. (If you like them both, move to CA!). These choices have inherent compromises.
If you don't like HOAs, choose a different neighborhood. Again, inherent compromises.
But freedom of movement is guaranteed to all (non-incarcerated) US citizens. If you choose not to exercise it, that's 100% on you and your choices of prioritization.
And also mischaracterizing the state of things. Some HOAs say you must have a lawn, not a garden, in your front (or street-facing) yard. They do not prohibit you from growing carrots in your back yard. They do prohibit other things.
I'm not a fan of HOAs. But HOAs are voluntary communities. You sign the contract, you are bound by the terms. That's true in your country too.
And as for American Freedom.. It's just part of the exceptionalism mythology. Just like the One True God, or the World Champions of Sport, or what have you. Intelligent people have a more nuanced view. Unintelligent people are more common, alas. And so the world turns...
And what was the point of coming into this thread and pushing that attack specifically at the US? The world is overflowing with highly regulated economies, including all across affluent Europe. The article didn't claim the US was more free than xyz, people in this thread weren't claiming that either. You set up a straw issue so you could knock it down.
You're relatively new here, so here's a tip: what you're doing (trying to incite, posting flamebait) is specifically against HN's guidelines.
1. It's not me, who invented and repeat "America - land of freedom".
2. It's not me, who is constantly telling that I live in the country with most freedoms (I don't say you do, I'm just long enough in the internet to know how it is _in general_).
3. It wasn't any flamebait. I just laughed at this ridiculous thing. It's you all who felt offended and are bashing me because (of cource, as always) _I don't understand it_.
4. If you want - I can do you a favour and stop posting my comments here. It's still worthless tho
