Not all HOAs are as bad as you describe Mistyfeather, and state laws vary on the extent to which fines can be enforced. I did not notice or see anything that indicated the sate that the OP lives in, but I do know that in Arizona HOAs cannot force one to sell ones home over fines. The only situation in which they can foreclose is for significant and long term unpaid assessments.
However you do illustrate the point of checking state laws.
However you do illustrate the point of checking state laws.