I did not feel this belonged in the Political Forum because it is not up for debate and I think many members ignore that forum. As funny as it may be, I didn't think it belonged as part of the Joke thread. General seems to be the best place. Normally, I would say something like "read and enjoy." But those words just don't fit in this case.


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 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
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 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, by his
wife, Discretion, by his daughter, Responsibility, and by 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.

 

A perfect description of our times....

 

i have finally come of age where i agree with everything stated. i guess it's called perspective and these are some sad times. it started when i was in my 20's and began to see acquaintances get married, have kids and their lifestyles didn't change. they didn't take on the mantle of "growing up" and acting like adults like our parents did. now, those kids are having kids and it's just compounded generationally. i'm on the front lines of the fallout everyday. when i was a kid, we played with other kids. if we were lucky, one of the dads would play football or something with us if he wasn't too tired from the work week. now kids sit and play video games with their parents, the homework gets done last and the parents make excuses for the kids or expect the teacher to miraculously change their child (make them responsible, conscientious, critical thinkers, decent interpersonal skills, etc.). it's a complete 180 from when i was a kid. but calif. still has great weather.

 

I am just glad I like chinese food, and the women aren't bad either. Now their cars, well, they need to work on that. We will help them with that when they take over.

 

This is an article that has floated around since the nineties.
The original version is attributed to a US columnist.
The Death of Common Sense
Attributing it to the London Times gives it more clout I guess in some peoples eyes.
It's actually Indianapolis, not London.

 

I've seen it before also but it still has a ring of truth to it.

 

How true!

I thank God my kids are/have grown up properly due to the way my folks raised me. Simple words like "NO!" and painstakenly pointing out how following the herd leads nowhere. let's not forget how setting an example as parents is cruicial too.

Very good article!