@Manolo D. I appreciate your perspective and I am just glad this is even being discussed. I certainly am not in favor of zero oversight, but there is a grand canyon between an inspector who is friendly, helpful, will let me drive a missed nail into a hanger while he waits and generally takes a parental attitude and those who view the position as an opportunity to express authority and control and beat folks up for all fees possible. The emotional toll of the latter type creates hatred and mistrust. Aren't we basically experiencing this same issue nationally with the police? Please remember the government was intended as a servant. Like all things in the universe a balance is required for a healthy environment and my county is way off kilter in this area, presently.
On the texas gc comment I would have to respectfully disagree(somewhat). I lived and worked outside austin and came to the area with a gc licence from another state. No one cared much for my credentials but did care greatly about the reputation of the contractor's being used. If you weren't being referred by someone AND had a multiyear history in the local area, you are having a tough time getting work. I saw some weird, crazy, unique homes there but never heard of an epidemic of structures falling down or people getting killed or electrocuted etc. It seems in the absence of the nanny state(no permit texas) folks are forced to think for themselves.
At the end of the day I just wish the government was helpful and fostered an internal attitude of being a partner and not a dungeon master. Crazy, I know.
