I try to refrain from watching or reading any of the brainwashing fear tossing media that is forced down our throats via news casts and newspapers. There is however one local newspaper that I do read, keeps me upto date on things happening in my community and sometimes there are some really thought provoking articles that are printed, articles like the one I am posting here today. This came from a copy of the SaanichNews in Victoria and is so true to what is happening in society today that I felt the need to spread its message a little more.
“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 or exactly when he died since his 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,’ ‘why life isn’t always fair’ and ‘maybe it was my fault.’
Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies such as don’t spend more than you earn, and reliable strategies such as 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 that they themselves had failed to do at home, disciplining their unruly children.
He declined further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer aspirin, sun lotion or a Band-Aid to a student, but could not inform parents when that same student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.
Common Sense lost the will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband, churches became businesses; and it seemed that 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. The burglar could sue you for assault.
Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after someone failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot, spilled a little in their lap, and were 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 his three stepbrothers; I Know My Rights, Someone Else Is To Blame, and I’m A Victim. Not many attended the funeral for Common Sense because so few realized he was gone.”
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The forgoing quote, albeit tongue in cheek, reminds us that perhaps it is time to return to using a bit of common sense.
In any given week, we find reports of actions that seem to fail the simple test of common sense.
Where is “common sense” in publicly assassinating the character of an airport security person when they made a simple and perhaps dumb decision?
There are too many groups that revert to the victim role when anything doesn’t fit their little politically-correct world. Accepting and encouraging that kind of silliness fails the test of common sense.
Where “common sense” in the federal government policy that funding can not be advanced to help replace the Cameron Street Bridge until an environmental impact review is done? The bridge is being built on the same piers as the old bridge. There will be no messing with the river unless one of the workers falls in. It is a dumb policy and not “common sense.”
Failure to apply common sense has created all sorts of silly rules and processes that cause delay and totally unnecessary costs.
Perhaps it is time for all of us to take a little time and apply just a bit of common sense to what is happening in our lives and how much it is costing, in time, money and frustration.
Victor Bowman writes for the Prince George Free Press.
