The Alternate Times

By Garth Chittums

September 8, 2029

When the New Confederacy formed this year, many of us were excited for an end to the woke ideologies, the socialist policies, and the erosion of freedoms. Yet, there remains a startlingly high degree of government red tape plaguing our country, and our leaders display seemingly no urgency in fixing it.

For starters, why are New Confederate states still requiring that new construction abide by fire codes?

More regulations lead to higher prices without contributing anything to safety. Think about it: Would we consider restricting people’s access to guns just because our number of shootings is high? Of course not.

I am not advocating for a complete ban on construction that adheres to recognized fire safety measures. I just think the choice should be the consumer’s to make. If a family wants to save $40,000 on a home by bypassing all the costly fire code features, that should be their right. The same principle should apply to consumers who want to buy cars without seatbelts, milk that has not been pasteurized, and pets without rabies shots.

Eliminating mandatory reliance on fire codes will also unleash the creativity of the market. Homebuyers have long assumed that houses must come in certain shapes and sizes, with windows and exits placed where they would aid occupants in the event of an evacuation. But creative minds should be free to recognize that a window in a bedroom may simply be a luxury that the market is willing to do without.

I would advocate for all governors and legislatures to ask themselves why they left the United States in the first place. If, like me, they wanted the three C’s — Capitalism, Christianity, and Common Sense — ditching the fire code is a place to start.

Garth Chittums is CEO of the Southeastern Home Builders Alliance, a subsidiary of Alta Venture Capital Partners.