Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Obituary of Common Sense

Once in a while in my travels through cyberspace, I will stumble upon something that makes me think, "Well, ain't that the truth."  The following is one of those.  I have no idea where I found it.  If it is yours, let me know and I will give credit where credit is due.

Obituary of Common Sense

Today, we mourn the passing of an old friend by the name of Common Sense.

Common Sense lived a long life, but died from heart failure at the brink of the Millennium. 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 offices, 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 from rain, 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 feminism, 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 overbearing federal legislation.

He watched in pain as good people became ruled by self-seeking lawyers and enlightened auditors. His health rapidly deteriorated when schools endlessly implemented zero tolerance policies; when reports were heard of six year old boys charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; when a teen was suspended for taking a swig of mouthwash after lunch; when a teacher was fired for reprimanding an unruly student. It declined even further when schools had to get parental consent to administer aspirin to a student but couldn't inform the parent when a female student is pregnant or wants 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 Boy Scouts to professional sports.

As the end neared, Common Sense drifted in and out of logic but was kept informed of developments, regarding questionable regulations for asbestos, low-flow toilets, smart guns, the nurturing of Prohibition Laws and mandatory air bags.

Finally, when told that the homeowners association restricted exterior furniture only to that which enhanced property values, he breathed his last.

Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents Truth and Trust; his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son Reason. His three stepbrothers survive him: Rights, Tolerance and Whiner.

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


Author Unknown

6 comments:

  1. So true and we need to be reminded just how important how the simple way of life is slipping away.

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  2. steakandeggs...I wonder sometimes just how dumbed down our society has become. We seem to accept the most stupid of ideas without question. Political correctness comes to mind.

    Several years ago I started to simplify my life. A friend once remarked on my "minimalist lifestyle." I take that as a compliment. My grandparents were happy to sit on the back porch and actually talk to one another without benefit of a screen or text messages. The joy of losing ones self in a good book us nearly unknown to most. We would likely have fewer problems in this world if less time were spent rushing here and there and more time spent smelling a rose or two.

    Kicking my soapbox back into the corner now. :)

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  3. It's just the way things have been going for a long time now.

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  4. Harry... I know you are right. Sigh. People used to have sense enough to figure things out for themselves. Now they call 911 because McDonalds ran out of McNuggets. Sad.

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  5. Sad But True.....I have seen this before always a good read. I'm still around but busy as always

    My youngest (17) said the other day on the way to school, "People can use a iphone but can't use turn signals"

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  6. Rob...Looks like your daughter has a good share of that fast disappearing common sense. I sometimes wonder what some folks would do if they didn't have the government to tell them what to do and how to think.

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