Today I am mourning the passing of an old friend by the name of
Common
Sense.


Common Sense, AKA C.S., 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 C.S. He was credited with cultivating such valued lessons as
to know when to come in out of the rain, the early bird gets the worm,
and life isn't always fair.


C.S. lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than
you earn) and reliable parenting strategies (the adults are in charge,
not the kids).


A veteran of the Industrial Revolution, the Great Depression, and the
Technological Revolution, C.S. 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 regulation. 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, reports of 6-year-old boys charged with sexual harassment for

kissing classmate, a teen suspended for taking a swig of mouthwash
after
lunch, and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student.


Finally, C.S. 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, C.S. 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.


C.S. was preceded in death by his parents Truth and Trust; his wife,
Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason. He is
survived by three stepbrothers, Rights, Tolerance, and Whiner. Not many
attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.


- Author Unknown