"They just go ahead and don't listen to any of the laws that are affecting anybody else. It's quite a problem when you got people next door required to get permits and the Amish don't have to get them," said Gary Olson, a county supervisor in central Wisconsin's Jackson County, where Borntreger lives.
Note the issue is not whether Amish housing is unsafe or not.
Putting aside for a moment the issue of the best means a community can employ to ensure structures are not a threat to their inhabitants or neighbors, the Amish choose to live in their own communities.
Who are they harming?
But the state must control all. They won't let you live in peace. They're intent to force themselves upon you whether you wish to deal with them or not.
I suppose, ultimately, if the homeowners wish to defy orders and shut themselves up in their traditionally crafted home, an angry state could send out armed enforcers to burn the place down around them.
Isn't that what we do with "cultists" in this country who want to be left alone?
The original building code was very simple, if you built a home and it collapsed, your life was taken.
ReplyDeleteNo fuss, no muss.
Too bad we don't have the same law in place for oath breakers.
Here in Idaho we have the same parasite problems. Pine Lake, Idaho has a new Snow Load law. This has caused many folks in pre-fab homes and trailers to have to move out of the area or be evicted by armed parasites.
ReplyDeleteHere's the kicker: There's not been any roof's caving in because of snow. Its a non-issue but its now law and never mind this law is not needed. It is on the books and will destroy decent folks lives as they know it.
http://www.cdapress.com/articles/2008/12/13/news/news03.txt
ReplyDeleteSorry folks, that was Rose Lake and not Pine lake.
Simple solution for the neighbors, start a "reform amish" religion. Scrap the non-defense aspect and I'd join.
ReplyDeleteDavid's making a prediction, and I know it could come true. That's the difference between a Republican and a Democrat in the White House: the former will send thirty men from the gendarmerie, based on a tip and no evidence of wrongdoing. The latter will do the same, but they'll burn down your home before they leave.
ReplyDeleteThe issue isn't necessarily whether the structure falls down around your head. A thornier aspect is the implications and liabilities when another party purchases the structure.
ReplyDeleteThis is yet another case where due diligence falls into the lap of the buyer. Home inspections are common in many real estate transactions - but they are very limited in scope and generally cannot assess defects buried behind wallboard and under floor coverings. In my region home inspections can cost between $150 and $300 - generally on the lower end. As is said - ya' get what ya' pay for - and that cost usually covers a 2 hour session from the inspector.
I see no shortage of free market solutions for the situation. A home is usually the single largest expense for an individual - so a proportionate and thorough amount of due diligence would only be reasonable.
A couple things that would help address the liability matter might be:
Documentation of the methods of construction at the time via photos, etc..
Home inspections that are much more extensive and subsequently more costly.
Given the scale of the cost relative to most other purchases - it's in the best interest of the buyer to exercise full diligence.
Or... folks can continue on as usual - giving the nannies and bureaucrats more fodder for their incessant progroms.
Plug Nickel has a good point. Thesee government types are saving us from ourselves. The joke is, these government types are unable to find work in the private sector that offers them the same wages and bennies. What an oxymoron.
ReplyDeleteWatch the panic as parasites are being layed off as taxes don't roll in like the good times. The big government loving media will be doing stories on these poor parasites have it hard with out jobs. Ho me ho my what are they going to do.
I don't know that their habit is to move around alot, but if I could buy an Amish built home, I would not hesitate. The quality that they put into building things with wood is unmatched.
ReplyDeleteOf course, there is that outdoor plumbing issue.
Monticello didn't meet current bldg standards and it's still standing. No graded lumber, nails-per-stud requirements, etc. By gov't's tho't process it should have fallen in the year after it was built. I'll take an Amish built house over a permit built house any day.
ReplyDeleteI've seen barns that were built well over a hundred years ago that were drilled and pegged and are holding up just fine.
ReplyDeleteNails would have let go long ago.