Is the government butting too far into our business?

Hi, dawnald! I think this is a shame. I understand that laws have to be obeyed, but with people having such a hard time these days i think they could have been more lenient. The people who offered to let these people with the camper stay on their lot were trying to help. It is hard to find people willing to help others these days. I commend the people who were trying to help, and think the government should be ashamed of themselves. They should have left these people alone, you never know it may have helped them enough that they could get on their feet.

The government always seems to be butting in where they don't belong. Where are our personal freedoms? Our next door neighbor currently has his grown son staying in a little camper out back. It makes the backyard look junky but I honestly don't mind. If the guy needs a place to stay, it should be up to the property owner. Just as in this case. The people were doing a good deed by opening their lot to someone who needed a hook up to resources. What in the world was that hurting anyone? And it was their lot. They pay taxes on it, probably too much in taxes, yet they cannot do what they wish on it? Since my dad and I work in real estate we've gotten used to dealing with the crap zoning laws work up. It's honestly a bunch of bull...basically, zoning laws seem to be made up only to irk people, to remind people that you cannot do anything you want with property you rightfully own. It's sad to see the authorities get involved in a situation that would only bring another family's money to the town's businesses and get a family off the street. Ugh, that's irritating.

If that had happened over here there would have been a huge uproar and they would then have had to find them permanent accomodation. Right before Christmas too - so sad

Hi, Dawnald! I think it's about time the laws in this country catch up with the realities we live with. Zoning is basically for economic purposes, and the economy is destroying families. Those families need to be permitted to get by as well as they can until they can get back on their feet, without intervention by the government! I wanted to turn my garage into an apartment for someone in need, and the zoning people stopped it. I think that's horrible, and I'm fighting it!

I absolutely think the govt. interferes way to much in our personal lives. I see more and more examples of this all the time, and some are purely unconstitutional. They would do well to tend better to their own business, as things are such a bloody mess! The same goes for "big business." The so-called little people are the backbone they are always trying to break, and I know many, myself included, who are tired of it. Karen

hello dawn, it would have worked if that situation happens in my country. but US is not a third world. you got laws and systems that are strictly made by your law makers and those authorities simply wanted some thing order and not turn the american dream house into a squatter house.no offense but i heard other similar cases too which are quite awful

I think that is disgusting why did they have to interfere I mean it is 3 Days before Christmas and now these People have to set of and search again, and if there was all the facilities what was the Problem

Dawn, you say the lot had water and electricity hooked up, but what about sewerage? I can see that as a lawful objection if there was not a proper sewerage connection. If it was merely a zoning law infringement, that is very sad, and I guess it would only happen if neighbours complained.

doesn't that sound like typical government BS! I've sometimes wondered about letting someone camp in my back yard - but haven't met anyone I would want to do that... Guess they'd be all up our butts for letting our kids camp out in a tent in the yard now a days!

In a word: yes. This government uber alles is the pits. It's not new, but it is the worst I've ever seen it. Sad. We used to be the freest country in the history of the world. And now, the morons in D.C. claim they are soooo concerned about the poor & homeless. Phah. Liars! Maggiepie MERRY CHRISTMAS! FELIZ NAVIDAD! BLESSED NATIVITY!

Hi Dawnald, The goverment is always trying to make so hard for the people even the homeless, all the goverment is interseted in is money, I supposed they didn't like the udea of this homeless people using the water for free, and yes, the the goverment is butting in too much into our business. Tamara

Hey dawn~ I think that this is totally unfair! If the family whose property it was allowed them to live there then what does the government care? If the family doesn't mind them using their water and electricity then what the hell does that have to do with the government! And yes, I do think that the government is butting too far into our business and don't get me started! What they are doing to me with my Disability and making ME pay for Medicaid is totally absurd and when I try to fight the system and explain that it is redundant they agree, but tell me I still have to pay! So I am Disabled, paying for Medicaid, told that I can't see my OWN doctors since they won't take straight Medicaid and then TOLD that I should GET A JOB! Now then what was the reason they granted me Disability in the first place? Duh?

hi downald, really it is good thing i appreciate that family to offer their vacant place to poor and home less people,we find people like this once in blue moon,no body is willing to offer vacant place to the poor and needy,it is a good to their part,but govt. forced to vacate them from that land,i hope that they will get the shelter soon,have a nice day

The government has always had a habit of getting into our business. Under Bush the Patriot act was passed allowing for much more looser protections of American civil rights. The government can wiretap your phone without a warrant so long as they feel you are "a threat to national security" - a vague term that can be twisted to fit almost any activity that challenges the government legitimately under the First Amendment. So yes ABSOLUTELY does the government but too far into our business, but i don't see this changing anytime soon. Do you?

pft..that sounds like my area. with the economy,a rather large community of homeless was popping up from people of foreclosed homes-they told them they had to "move on". move on to where? they act like people unfortunate enough to be homeless should just disappear rather than help them.

Id really like to talk to he bureaucrat who came up with that zoning law that may have had some meaning but probably does not apply here.

This is where I get mad! If the camper has adequate electricity source and water disposal then it is not a health risk to anyone in the area so what is the big deal? Ti is causing the family that had to leave so much unnecessary stress and just imagine their disappointment? They must have felt so very happy that they had somewhere decent to stay. What relief the parents must have experienced only to have it snatched away from them.The action of the "authorities" is disgustingI wish that I could send them a hundred thousand fleas!!

that is sad to hear, I can't believe to be hearing this. I can't believe that the government would even do that to them. that man or person who was willing to do that has such a black heart. while he went home to nice big comfortable places while they have to be on the street. trailer or not that on the streets. sad that our country is dealing with that 3rd world country's are dealing with. but its ok that we have people who are on the senate seats committing crimes right under our noises.

that's the law and we have to obey it even if it harsh, it's for our own good in a way.

I think that if someone is reaching out to help a homeless family, then the government should allow them to do so if they wish! Authorities complain about the homeless sleeping in stairwells, on sidewalks, and in parks, but they don't do anything to help the situation. Most of the time, these people can't go to a shelter because the shelters are already overcrowded and are turning people away. If a member of the government had ever been homeless, or had someone close to them who had, then they wouldn't be doing this. The family owned the lot - they should be able to do with it whatever they choose as long as its legal.