THE DEATH OF COMMON SENSE

Something worth reading and remembrance of our old friend, Common Sense, who has become not-so-common in the last 10-15 years.....I personally feel it is because of all the Boomers who came out of the Hippie Era. They didn't share their parents view of the world (based on Common Sense) and as they became the same establishment they railed against in their youth, they implemented their own warped & shallow values on society...bringing on the demise of common sense.

My parents came through the Great Depression and World War 2. They instilled in me and my siblings, a greater sense of dedication to country, community and helping others than the self centered hippies ever had....The Hippies were given the same lesson by their parents too but they decided it was better to reject their parents values.

They told their children nonsense like, " It's all about you", "Do what feels good", " Everyone is special" and other drivel that created a generation of self centered fools who are the hallmark of the idiots we see who are on TV babbling to Oprah and Dr. Phil that they can't handle their lives. The very same fools who would elect the empty suit in the White House or Pelosi in California.

I mourn the loss of "Common Sense" and would like to see his values returned to our American way of life. It is sorely needed now more than ever.


THE DEATH OF COMMON SENSE
By Lori Borgman

Common Sense lived a long life but died in the United States from heart failure on the brink of the new 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 and factories, and 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 credos: sound financial policies (don't spend more than you earn), reliable parenting strategies (the adults are in charge, not the kids), and winning isn't everything (it's okay to come in second).

A veteran of the Industrial Revolution, the Great Depression, and the Technological Revolution, Common Sense survived 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.

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 the Boy Scouts to professional sports. Finally, when a woman, too stupid to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot, was 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 stepbrothers and a stepsister: My Rights, Only Me and Ima Whiner.

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

Note: This piece was first published March 15, 1998 in the Indianpolis Star.
http://www.loriborgman.com/