What Actually is Common Sense?

Obituary - R.I.P. Common Sense

The Cambridge Dictionary defines Common Sense as: "The basic level of practical knowledge and judgment we all need to help us live in a reasonable and safe way."

Examples:

• Don’t step in front of a moving vehicle. Common Sense says you’ll get hurt.

• Broken glass on the floor? Common Sense says walk around it, or cut your foot.

• After you walk inside your house, Common Sense says close the door.

Common Sense is one of the most important human qualities yet one of the most lacking in society.  It’s like deodorant.  Those who need it most don’t use it …

R.I.P. Common Sense

[by Lori Borgman; March 15, 1998.]

Obituary:

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved 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 long be remembered for 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;
Maybe it was my fault.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial advice, "Don't Spend More Than You Earn", and other reliable policies, such as, "Adults, Not Children, Are In Charge".

His health began to deteriorate when well-intentioned, overbearing regulations were set in place:

• A 6-year-old boy was charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate

• Teens were suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch

• A teacher was fired for reprimanding an unruly student

These, and others like them, only hastened to worsen his condition.

Common Sense lost more ground when parents attacked teachers for doing what they had failed to do —discipline their unruly children.

Common Sense declined when schools were required to get parental consent to administer suntan lotion, or an aspirin to a student.

Common Sense deteriorated further as churches became businesses and criminals received better treatment than victims.

But Common Sense took a real beating when we couldn't defend ourselves from a burglar in our home and yet the burglar could sue us for assault.

Common Sense finally gave up his will to live, after a woman failed to realize a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled some in her lap, and was awarded a huge settlement.

Common Sense was preceded in death, by his parents, Truth and Trust, his wife, Discretion, by his daughter, Responsibility, and by two sons, Logic and Reason.

He is survived by four stepbrothers:

I Know My Rights
I Want It Now
Blame Someone Else
I'm A Victim

Not many attended his funeral. So few people even realized he had expired.

Some are demanding a Public Inquiry into his death. Did he die of despair, as the coroner announced yesterday, or was he murdered by General Apathy? The early arrest of any suspects is not anticipated.

Sincerely,
John Q. Public

Poet/Writer/Author of 5 books.
Quora Top Writer 2018.
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