Recently I revisited something that no doubt made it through the e-mail gauntlet and died somewhere in the electronic ether.  The language I’m using is appropriate, given that the short anonymous piece was called an “Obituary on the death of Common Sense.”  I remember thinking when I first read it, that it was just too sardonic and dark for my taste.  You see, I’m the eternal optimist.  Notwithstanding, much of it rings true. . . .

Today we mourn the passing of an old friend, Common Sense.  Common Sense lived a long life, but died in the United States from heart failure early in the new millennium.  No one really knows how old he was, since his birth records were lost long ago in bureaucratic red tape.  He selflessly devoted his life to service in schools, hospitals, homes, and factories,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, why the early bird gets the worm, and that life isn't always fair.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you earn); reliable parenting strategies (the adults are in charge, not the kids); and it's okay to come in second.  A veteran of the Industrial Revolution, the Great Depression, and the Technological Revolution, Common Sense survived cultural and educational trends including 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 well intentioned but overbearing regulations.  He watched in pain as self-seeking lawyers ruled good people.  His health rapidly deteriorated when schools endlessly implemented zero tolerance policies.  Reports of a six-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate, a teen suspended for taking a swig of mouthwash after lunch, and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student only worsened his condition.  It declined even further when schools had to get parental consent to administer aspirin to a student but could not inform the parent when a female student was pregnant or wanted an abortion.

Common Sense lost his will to live as churches became businesses, criminals received better treatment than victims, and federal judges stuck their noses in everything from the Pledge of Allegiance to professional sports.  When an individual, too stupid to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot, was awarded a huge settlement, Common Sense threw in the towel.  As the end neared, Common Sense drifted in and out of logic but was kept informed of developments regarding questionable regulations such as those for low flow toilets, rocking chairs, step ladders and auto emissions.  Common Sense finally succumbed when, while the United States was fighting a war on terrorism, a federal judge declared the Pledge of Allegiance to be unconstitutional.

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 two step-siblings: My Rights, and Ima Whiner.  Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.

Fortunately, there are a few reports of a long lost relative, who has been living quietly, out of the way for the past few years.  Horse Sense remains in excellent health in mind, body and spirit, and he’s been seen visiting small towns and country in Central Texas.  He’s resolved to name his growing brood after Common Sense and the others of his family who went before.

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Wesley Allen Riddle is a retired military officer with degrees and honors from West Point and Oxford.  Widely published in the academic and opinion press, he serves as State Director of the Republican Freedom Coalition (RFC).  This article is from his newly released book, Horse Sense for the New Millennium available on-line at www.WesRiddle.net and from fine bookstores everywhere.  Email: Wes@WesRiddle.com.