Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend,

by the name of Common Sense.

Common Sense lived a long life, but died in the United

States from heart failure on the beginning of the new

millennium. No one really knows how old he was, since

his birth records were lost long ago in bureaucratic red

tape. He selflessly devoted his life to service in schools,

hospitals, homes, factories, helping folks get jobs done

without fanfare and foolishness. For decades, petty rules,

silly laws, and frivolous lawsuits had no power over Common

Sense.

He was credited with cultivating such valued lessons as

to know when to come out of the rain, why the early bird

gets the worm, and that life isn’t always fair. Common

Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don’t

spend more that you earn), reliable parenting strategies

(the adults are in charge, not the kids), and it’s okay to

come in second.

A veteran of the Industrial Revolution, the Great Depression,

and the Technical Revolution, Common Sense survived

cultural and educational trends including body piercing, whole

language, and “new math”. But his health declined when he

became infected with the “If it only helps one person, it’s

worth it.” virus.

In recent decades his waning strength proved no match for

the ravages of well intentioned, but overbearing, regulations.

He watched in pain as good people became ruled by self-

seeking lawyers. His health rapidly deteriorated when schools

endlessly implemented zero-tolerance policies.

Reports of a six-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment

for kissing a classmate, a teen suspended for taking a swig of

mouthwash after lunch, and a teacher fired for reprimanding an

unruly student only worsened his condition.

It declined even further when schools had to get parental consent

to administer aspirin to a student but could not inform the parents

when a female student was pregnant or wanted an abortion.

Finally, Common Sense lost his will to live as the Ten

Commandments became contraband, Churches became

businesses, criminals received better treatment than their

victims, and Federal Judges stuck their noses in everything

from the Boy Scouts to professional sports.

Finally, when a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of

coffee was hot & was awarded a huge settlement, Common Sense

threw in the towel.

As the end neared, Common Sense drifted in and out of logic

but was kept informed of developments regarding questionable

regulations, such as those for the low flow of toilets, rocking

chairs, and step ladders.

Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth

and Trust; his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility,

and his son, Reason. He is survived by two step-brothers:

My Rights, and I’m a Whiner.

Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was

gone.

Author Unknown

– Author Unknown