When I was younger I often thought of retirement as a time to see the world and get involved in some of the activities I never seem to have time for. Now, only a few years away from that wonderful stage of life, I find myself longing to go deep into the woods where I can enjoy the rest of my days away from the rest of this crazy world. Just when you think you have heard it all, you pick up a newspaper or watch a news broadcast and give your head another shake at the absolutely senseless things that people are doing to each other. What is happening? What ever happened to common sense?

A recent article I came across helped me put everything into perspective, and I am sure my readers will find it helpful in understanding why the world is developing as it is. I do not know who first wrote the passage, but I think I know how he/she was feeling.

“Today we are mourning the passing of an old friend by the name of Common Sense. Common Sense lived a long life but died from heart failure at the brink of the millennium. No one really knows how old he was since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He selflessly devoted his life to service in schools, hospitals, homes, factories and offices, helping folks get jobs done without fanfare and foolishness.

For decades, petty rules, silly laws and frivolous lawsuits held no power over Common Sense. He was credited with cultivating such valued lessons as to know when to come in out of the rain; the early bird gets the worm; and life isn’t always fair. Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (you don’t spend more than you earn) and reliable parenting strategies (the adults are in charge, not the kids).

A veteran of the Industrial Revolution, the Great Depression, and the Technological Revolution, Common Sense survived cultural and educational trends including feminism, body piercing, whole language and new math. But his health declined when he became infected with the ‘If it only helps one person it’s worth it’ virus.

In recent decades his waning strength proved no match for the ravages of overbearing federal regulation. He watched in pain as good people became ruled by self-seeking lawyers and enlightened auditors. His health rapidly deteriorated when schools endlessly implemented zero tolerance policies, reports of six-year old boys charged with sexual harassment for kissing classmates, a teen suspended for taking a swig of mouthwash after lunch, and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student.

Finally, Common Sense lost his will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband, churches became businesses, criminals received better treatment than victims, and federal judges stuck their noses in everything from Boy Scouts to professional sports. As the end neared, Common Sense drifted in and out of logic but was kept informed of developments regarding questionable regulations for asbestos, low flow toilets, “smart” guns, the nurturing of prohibition laws and mandatory air bags. Finally, when told that some hockey associations were banning parents from the arena while their children were playing, he breathed his last.

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, Rights, Corruption and Whiner.

Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.”

I hope you now have a better understanding of why the world is unfolding as it is today. We will all miss Common Sense. He is going to be hard to replace.