Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend,
Common Sense, who has been with us for many years.
No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records
were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered
as having cultivated such valuable lessons as: knowing when to
come in out of the rain; why the early bird gets the worm; life isn't
always fair; and maybe it was my fault. 1
Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies
(don't spend more than you earn) and reliable strategies
(adults, not children, are in charge). His health began to
deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing
regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy
charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate;
teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after
lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly
student only worsened his condition. 2
Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers
for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in
disciplining their children. It declined even further when the
schools were required to get parental consent to administer
sunscreen or an aspirin to a student; but could not inform
parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to
have an abortion. 3
Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became
businesses and the criminals received better treatment than
their victims. He took a beating when you couldn't defend
yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar
could sue you for assault. He finally gave up the will to live
after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of
coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap and was
promptly awarded a huge settlement. 4
Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth
and Trust; by his wife, Discretion; by his daughter,
Responsibility; and by his son, Reason. He is survived by his
four stepbrothers: I know My Rights, I want It NOW,
Someone else is to Blame, and I'm a Victim. 5
Not many attended the funeral because so few realized he
was gone. If you still remember him, pass this on. If not, join
the majority and do nothing.6
7
8
(This was re-written from an email I received long ago) 9
Adding your comment:
In fact I think sense, in any shape or form, is a scarce commodity.
