One thing I have always believed . . .

. . . is that in America, you don't get to pick your neighbors.

Don't like the fact that a couple of white people are living next door? Tough. In America, you don't get to pick your neighbors.

Don't like the idea of gay people moving into "your" neighborhood? In America, you don't get to pick your neighbors.

Don't like the neighbors going to church on what you perceive is the wrong day? Get over it. In America, you don't get to pick your neighbors.

Don't like the color of the house next door? There's not (or at least there SHOULDN'T be) a damn thing you can do about it. In America, you don't get to pick your neighbors.

Don't like how the neighbors trim their shade trees? You had the same opportunity to buy that property that they did. And if you had, you could trim the trees there any damn way you want. In America, you don't get to pick your neighbors.

Don't like the neighbors painting cars for profit in their garage? Suck it up and be a man. Unless the fumes are drifting onto YOUR property, it's none of your business. In America, you don't get to pick your neighbors.

This is the root of my opposition to planning and zoning. In America, you don't get to pick your neighbors.

Apparently, the city of St. Louis is not in America.