You say that until you live next to someone who literally parks multiple vehicles in their front yard, blasts loud music all day (and most of the night), has dpgs running loose, and then starts building a second house on the edge of your property.
Many Americans are selfish, stupid people who will do whatever they want until someone stops them. We all know calling the cops is useless and often just escalates the assholery. I'd rather deal with an HOA run by geriatrics than a pissed off trashy person who has endless access to gasoline.