OBITUARY
(From My E-Mail Bag)
Today we mourn the passing of an old friend, in the USA, by the name of Common Sense.
Common Sense lived a long life but died recently in the United States. No one really knows how old
he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape.
He selflessly devoted his life to service in schools, hospitals, homes, factories and helping folks
get jobs done without fanfare and foolishness. For decades, petty rules, silly laws, and frivolous lawsuits held no power
over Common Sense. He was credited with cultivating such valued lessons as to know when to come in 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 than 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 Technological Revolution, Common Sense survived cultural and educational trends
including body piercing, whole language, and "new math."
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 parent when a female student was pregnant or wanted an abortion.
Common Sense lost his will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband, churches became businesses,
criminals received better treatment than victims, and federal judges stuck their noses in everything from the Boy Scouts to
professional sports.
Finally, when people, too stupid to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot, were 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 low flow toilets, rocking chairs, and stepladders.
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 stepbrothers: My Rights, and Ima Whiner.
Not many
attended his funeral because few realized he was gone.
