I'll come straight to the point. I don't own the copyright to this article, and that confession is bound to wake up the moderator big time! But then again, no one does, because this piece is in the public domain, and it is anonymous, and the writer is asking that it be repeated as often as possible, hence the reason that I am rewriting it here. Bear with me please.

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 as his birth records were lost long ago 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, 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 parenting. 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 6-year-old boy charged with 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 they themselves failed to do, in disciplining their unruly children.

It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer Panadol, sun lotion, or a sticky plaster to a student; but could not inform the parents when a student became pregnant. Common Sense lost the will to live, as the Ten Commandments became contraband; churches became businesses, and 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, and the burglar can sue you for assault. Common Sense finally gave up the will to live after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, sued, and was 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 three stepbrothers, I Know My Rights, Someone Else Is To Blame, and I'm A Victim.

Not many attended the funeral of Common Sense because so few realized he had gone. Like so many things, you never miss them, till they are no longer there. If you still remember Common Sense, please pass this on. If not, join the majority and do nothing.

What more can I add today in 2006? Not much really, for there is a great deal of Common Sense written into the above piece, and of course it is well worth repeating. Have a great day.