Today we mourn the 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, 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.

[gwenith, BSN, RN]

Wow!!! Good one!!

I am going to send that one on to al my E-mail buddies thank-you!

[nowplayingEDRN]

Good one...Point taken

[funnygirl_rn]

Good one.