Passing of an old friend
>
> Today we mourn the passing of an old friend, 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, and 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 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." 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 parent 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 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
> step siblings: My Rights, and Ima Whiner. Not many attended his funeral
> because so few realized that Common Sense was gone...
>
> Today we mourn the passing of an old friend, 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, and 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 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." 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 parent 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 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
> step siblings: My Rights, and Ima Whiner. Not many attended his funeral
> because so few realized that Common Sense was gone...
