The Death of Common Sense

This piece was originally published in the London Times as an Obituary, and it is highly relevant to the state of our world today. Everywhere you turn it’s almost as though people have been programmed to lose all common sense.

An Obituary

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knew for sure how old he was, because records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He’ll be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as: The early bird gets the worm; Hard work is the secret to success; Life isn’t always fair; and Sorry that was my fault.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies like don’t spend more than you earn and Save part of your income for the future plus reliable life strategies like “Adults are in charge not children” and “When there’s a problem, look for a solution don’t look for someone to blame”.

His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student.

Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do, disciplining their children. It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an Aspirin to a student, but couldn’t inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.

Common Sense lost the will to live when churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims. Common Sense took a beating when the law said that you couldn’t defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault if you did. Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.

Common Sense was preceded in death, by his parents Truth and Trust, by his wife Discretion and by his children Responsibility and Reason.

Unfortunately he is survived by his 3 stepbrothers; I know my rights, I want it now and Someone else is to blame.

Not many people attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. If you still remember Common Sense then please pass this on. If not, join the majority of the world and do nothing.