Common Sense passes away...

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved friend by the name of Commonm Sense.

Common Sense lived a long life but died in the United States from heart failure at the beginning of the new millennium. No one really knows how old he was, since his birth records long ago were lost 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 held 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 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, multi-language ballots, and "new math".

Alas, his health declined when he became infected with the "If-it-makes-you-feel-good-do-it" virus.

In recent decades, his waning strength proved no match for the ravages of well intentional, but overbearing regulatiuons. He watched in pain as good people became ruled by self-seeking lawyers. His health rapidly deteriorated when schools implemented endless zero-tolerance policies.

Reports of a six years old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate, a teenager suspended for taking a swiq of mouth wash 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...and, when a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot, she was awarded a huge settlement. Common Sense threw in the towel.

As his end neared, Common Sense drifted in and out of logic, but was kept informed of developments regarding questionable regulations such as those of low flow toilets, rocking chairs, and stepladders.

Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust; his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Respnsibility; and his son, Reason. He is survived by two stepbrothers: My Rights and Ima Whiner.

Not many attended his funeral, because so few realized he was gone.