Well, I'm fairly new to HOAs, having just moved here last September. Board members are elected and just like your government officials, there are probably good ones and bad ones, but all can be removed through elections. Is it a PITA to get approval for almost anything I want to do outside? Sure. But do I want a hot pink or vile green house next door? Nope. My old house was outside city limits. That meant that the good thing is you can do pretty much anything you want to with your yard and house. The bad thing is you can do pretty much anything you want to with your yard and house. Because I had that freedom, my neighbors also could store mounds of junk in their back yard - the yard I viewed from my deck. And the folks who lived behind me didn't believe in using chemicals so their waist high weeds migrated to my flower gardens.
I no longer have to worry about my next door neighbor's rowdy parties that always turned into fights. Or their 7 chihuahuas barking at me every time I went out in my yard. Yes, there are laws even in unincorporated areas, but getting someone to enforce them isn't always as simple as it sounds.
Now I also have 4 wonderful pool complexes to visit, and I don't have to maintain them. There are 4 clubhouses each unique with library, travel club, dance lessons, card rooms, etc. For this time in my life, I'm satisfied having to deal with a HOA to get this lifestyle. Perhaps I'll change my mind in a year or two - I hope not.
Like landlords, all HOAs aren't bad.
Pooker