Why do you hate freedom?

All things happen to some extent everywhere. But contractors here (Spain) are famous for promising everything - in writing, delivering substantially less, significantly later (if at all), and presenting a bill for far more than agreed, and blaming it all on the victim.

It used to be epidemic, but it's improved a lot in the past decade. Yet it's still absolutely necessary to oversee everything they do, take photos and record all mistakes, keep records of the days and times they actually work, who was working, and on what... or else you don't have any recourse in court. And the likelihood you will go to court is high.

I am involved in one such lawsuit now. But the plaintiff has been given a 6 month extension because his lawyer is serving a 6 month jail sentence for fraud.

We have been involved with renovations here in France and I don't think we would ever have any building works done in the US. Outside of course if we would want to change the kitchen or bathrooms or something needs painting etc... So hopefully these sorts of things are not so difficult to have done there but boy are they difficult in France!

Ted Cruz

Who Is Ted Cruz? | The Onion - America's Finest News Source

"Speaks: Spanish, English, Tongues"

I don't know how it is in the US, but technically, you're obliged to buy obtain planning permission for everything here. If you paint your lounge, you're supposed to get permission. Install a new sink in your bathroom: permission. Nobody does it though. Only for major work that's visible from the outside. I reckon that explains why virtually all properties here are "illegal" in some way.

Same here, for just about anything that "requires" a licensed professional, so plumbing electrical, gas and heating/AC work, plus anything "structural". I have never obtained a permit, nor been asked why I didn't, even though for one project that I did myself, the property tax records noted that I had demolished two chimneys (fireplaces have a specific taxable value ).

Although for work on plumbing, wiring, and heating/AC projects that are too big for me, or I don't have time for, I use licensed professionals even they don't obtain permits, though I have been asked on several occasions by contractors if I would like them to?

As far as I know there is no permit required for painting.

The fact that the Attorney General of California is forced to take this seriously.

Actually, in a roundabout way, it could be a good thing that he's forced to allow it to go to a vote, so everyone knows just how many ****ed up lunatics are running the show around here

The problem is when you want to sell. "Planning permission" isn't for "community aesthetics" or "safety" (as it should be), it's a revenue source, and they always get something. And they love to come around and "inspect" properties that are listed for sale in search of collecting a few bob.

When you want to sell, if when the property isn't consistent with the local registry and some enterprising local council fief decides to enforce it for whatever reason, then there's gonna be 'splainin' paying to do. You can "legalise" unregistered work - for a fee/penalty, not cheap, and opening that can of worms can lead to being forced to destroy it if in the unfortunate event that the person in charge that day hasn't had any sex in months - unless of course you can afford whatever "penalty" they may come up with. Still, it's often better to ask pay for forgiveness than permission.

A decade ago, you could simply offer a "gratuity" to the inspector for his excellent work, or make a small "donation" to some local politician's son-in-law. But now that's all gone underground and the path isn't easy to find anymore. They have a "legal" way of extorting money now.

Oh well, here's to the good 'ol days...

A lot can be hidden unfortunately, so unless you have an inspection that actually looks behind walls, all the reassurance you can get is that only things that are visible appears to be okay (E&OE, Ts&Cs apply, some exclusions apply, not valid in XX, did you actually read the contract before you signed it)!

(Above is cynical: so far I've only discovered slightly dodgy wiring and inappropriate fixings like nails in plasterboard)

Beyond parody

Unconscionable!

The signature gatherers who lie in wait in order to pounce upon each customer as they enter/leave West Hollywood (aka: "Boystown") super-markets, attempting to garner a sufficient number to qualify this garbage proposition for inclusion on the ballot - will be taking their own lives in their hands.

9/11 caused him to switch from being a rock fan to embracing country music:

Ted Cruz: 'On 9/11, I Didn't Like How Rock Music Responded' | Rolling Stone

....Just a good ol', good ol' boy

As if we needed more evidence that he is an idiot that is swayed by things that don't make any sense.

I guess that the cash-in that several country singers did post 9/11 must have been what appealed to him the most. Or maybe Green Day moved too far from their punkier roots.

They released Cuban/Canadian Idiot