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The Death of Common Sense
--an allegory!
(Obituary printed in
the the London Times)
Today we mourn the
passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has
been with us for many 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 can earn) and reliable
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 mouth wash 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 that they themselves had failed to do
in disciplining their unruly children.
It declined even further when schools were required to
get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an
Aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents when
a student became pregnant and wanted to have an
abortion.
Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches
became businesses; and criminals received better
treatment than their victims. Common Sense took a
beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar
in your own home and the burglar could sue you for
assault.
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
His wife, Discretion, his daughter, Responsibility, his
son, Reason
He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers; I Know My Rights
I Want It Now; Someone Else Is To Blame; I'm A Victim
Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he
was gone. If you still remember him, pass this on. If
not, join the majority and do nothing.
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