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.
Common sense lived by simple, sound financial policies such as don’t spend more than you earn and reliable strategies such as adults being in charge, not the children.
His health deteriorate rapidly when well intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of an 8 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.
Common sense lost ground as parents attacked teachers for doing the job they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an aspirin, but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.
Common sense lost the will to live as the churches abandoned God for money and social agendas, and criminals received better treatment than their victims. He took a beating when it was decided you couldn’t defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and if you did, the burglar could sue you for assault.
Common sense finally gave up the will to live after a women failed to realize that a steaming hot cup of coffee was actually ‘hot,’ and received a huge settlement for her injuries.
Common sense was preceded in death, by his parents – truth and justice, his wife – discretion, his daughter – responsibility, and his son – reason.
He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers – I know my rights – I want my rights – I want it now – I’m a victim.
There was sparse attendance at his funeral as few realized he was gone.
