Ed Said - The passing of common sense

 

For those of us predominantly over the age of 50 there have been some incredible changes in the world from post war years when everyone worked together to rebuild their lives and build this little country.

We saved a little, paid our bills, bought only what we could afford, used our manners, respected others and especially our elders, the police and school teachers. We recognised that actions had consequences – good actions generally had rewards, negative actions bore penalties. Going to prison meant a stretch living on bread and water – or that was a child’s perception and enough to put the frighteners on a youngster.

Today the pendulum has swung almost upside down, highlighted by my adaptation of this online story:

With the passing of time is the passing of lives and today, we mourn the passing of an old friend. His name was Common Sense. Common Sense lived a long life, but finally 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, fuss or 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, don’t pee on an electric fence, to get you first have to give and life isn’t always fair. He 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 feminism, body piercing, whole language and new maths.
Sadly his health declined when he became infected with the “if-itonly-helps-one-person-it’s-worthit” virus.

In recent decades, his waning strength proved no match for the ravages of overbearing legislation. He watched in pain as good people became ruled by self-seeking lawyers, political mayhem through personal agendas and seemingly enlightened auditors. His health rapidly deteriorated when schools endlessly implemented zero tolerance policies; when reports were heard of 6-year-old boys charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; when a teen was suspended for taking a swig of mouthwash after lunch; when a teacher was fired for reprimanding an unruly student. It declined even further when schools had to get parental consent to administer aspirin to a student but couldn’t inform the parent when a female student is pregnant or wants an abortion.

Common Sense lost his will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband, churches be came businesses, criminals received better treatment than victims, and 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, and mandatory air bags.

Finally, when his intravenous feed of morals, ethics and religion could no longer sustain him, 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. His three stepbrothers survive him: Rights, Tolerance and Whiner. Not many attended his funeral because so few realised he was gone.

It leaves us only to add, many a true word spoken in jest. Worth pondering for a moment don’t you think?

Rob Pooley, Editor