I think people laugh at US stories more because they are the ones harping on about Freedom all the time. There might be 150+ free countries in the world but nobody talks about it more than USA.
America runs on the principle of localism, which basically means that laws should be passed at a local level to deal with their own specific issues. Hence the United "States". This is compatible with some areas having stricter HOAs or laws.
I think both of us know that is not how capital F Freedom is used in any public discourse by Americans or otherwise. That is what makes this funnier. The contrast in how freedom is talked about and how it's implemented.
Do you know many Americans who think "capital F Freedom" means laws don't exist? I've lived here a while and never met anyone who think that way. Most of the time when Americans I know talk about their freedom, they're referring to the 1st and 2nd amendments. I've never really understand freedom to mean "freedom to do whatever you want without impunity."
Is that how other countries perceive American's idea of freedom?
You are missing the point. Nobody thinks Americans mean laws don't exist. But they do mean they are free to do mostly whatever they want. And when reports come out that they aren't even allowed to have grass the size they want in their own front yard the irony of that is super funny. There, now I've dissected the frog for you and ruined the joke for myself.
