Friday, October 17, 2008

RIP Common Sense

This post comes directly from my Australian blogger friend, Craig, who had received an e-mail that he decided was worthy of a post, and I agree.



It's titled "The sad passing away of Common Sense."


Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape.

He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as knowing when to come in out of the rain, why the early bird gets the worm, life isn't always fair, and maybe it was my fault.


Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you earn) and reliable parenting strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).

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 only worsened his condition.


Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job they themselves failed to do in disciplining their unruly children.

He declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer Panadol, sun lotion, or even a sticky plaster to students. At the same time, the schools were prohibited from informing the parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.


Common Sense lost more of his will to live when the Ten Commandments became contraband, churches became a business, and criminals received better treatment than their victims.


Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from burglars in your home without them suing you for assault.


Common Sense finally gave up completely 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; his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason.

He is survived by three stepbrothers ... I Know My Rights, Someone Else Is To Blame, and I'm A Victim.


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

4 comments:

Chuck said...

Wow! Too true to be funny, and far more scary than I want to admit. And these words are only be the start of the "obituary" for Common Sense, what with all the screwy news reports over the last bunch of years! Thanks for sharing with us.

Goldenrod said...

This is DEfinitely a sad commentary on life today, Chuck.

I don't really know what you and I, individually, can do about it other than commiserate with each other.

Craig Peihopa said...

Chuck is right Goldenrod, it IS scary. The only question I haven't asked on my blog but will ask here to reasoned thinkers is; Where does it go from here?

Goldenrod said...

Craig, I think the very last sentence of this post might be the most critical ... "Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone."

"Insidious" ... a couple of definitions fit our worldwide dilemma, and I don't know that there IS a good solution ... 1) having a gradual and cumulative effect; and 2) developing so gradually as to be well established before becoming apparent.

As an Ayn Rand aficionado, you will know exACTly what I'm talking about when I say, "Atlas Shrugged."

It goes NOwhere from here, Craig, in my opinion. The majority of society is either unaware or doesn't care.

I'm sorry to sound so negative.

My advice is to enjoy those whom you hold dear and try to keep yourself sane and whole.

If a 'reasoned thinker' out there has an answer to your question, I'm sure that MANY people would love to hear it!