[size=12]The Obituary of Common Sense
 
My parents told me about Mr. Common Sense early in my life and told 
me I would do well to call on him when making decisions. It seems he 
was always around in my early years but less and less as time passed 
by. Today I read his obituary. Please join me in a moment of 
silence in remembrance, for Common Sense had served us all so well 
for so many generations.
Obituary
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 six-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. It declined even further when schools were required to get 
parental consent to administer Aspirin, sun lotion or a Band aide to 
a student, but could not inform the parents when a student became 
pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.
Common Sense lost the will to live when religions 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 can 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; 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.[/size]