HADD - Homeowners Against Deficient Dwellings

 Enron and others have robbed citizens of retirement security. Unscrupulous homebuilders and their lobbying efforts are taking what little we have left to rely on as average citizens, the family home. When construction defects, predatory lending schemes and arbitration are party to this investment, it becomes a painful, expensive burden for the homeowner and their family.

 It is too big a blow to the public to lose the stability we had in homeownership. We aren't as free in America as we like to think; we are led by the nose or prodded to believe we are, when in fact we are corporate cattle who have been sold time and again to the highest campaign contribution, including millions annually from the housing related industries.

 The building industry has had ample time to address defective housing. In 1979, then federal trade commissioner Elizabeth Dole, a Republican, addressed the National Association of Home Builders in Nevada and told them their substandard building and unscrupulous business practices would one day catch up to them. She was wrong. Homeowners and their communities now pay the ultimate price.

 Substandard new-home construction and remodeling is a growing national problem. Many homebuilding firms are taking advantage of a total lack of government oversight. Regardless of regulatory licensing agencies, there is no enforcement and or accountability to assure sound residential construction.

 When the building industry is ready to take responsibility for those in its industry who cut corners, rather than legislate to erode and prolong our cherished rights to a trial of our peers, as provided by the Constitution, we will see real change.

 If we allow industry to take away our constitutional rights, then we have allowed our soldiers, 9/11 victims and numerous other Americans to die in vain. Our saddest, most heart-rending letters are from veterans who live in deficient homes. They are at a complete loss as to what they were fighting for.