This morning the news was reporting how the ACLU had banned father/ daughter dances in Rhode Island since it discriminated against single parent families. If this story was not so sad it would almost be comical to think that we have destroyed the rights of many as we try to provide more liberties to a few. It is obvious that today in America, common sense, wisdom, and logic have become absurdity, stupidity and foolishness. Frankly it reminds me of a children’s story of long ago.

A man and his son were once going with their Donkey to market. As they were walking along by its side a countryman passed them and said: “You fools, what is a Donkey for but to ride upon?” So the man put the boy on the animal and they went along their way. Soon they passed a group of men who said: “See that lazy youngster, he lets is father walk while he rides.” So, the man ordered his son to get off and he got on the Donkey. They had not gone far when they passed two women who said: “Shame on that lazy man to let his poor little son walk while he rides.” Well, the man did not know what to do so he took the boy up with him on the Donkey. When they came to the town, the people began to jeer and point at them and said: “Aren’t you ashamed of yourself for overloading the poor donkey.” So, the man and his son got off and decided that they would carry the Donkey. They cut a pole, tied the Donkey’s feet to it and raised the pole to their shoulders. As they went along they were met with laughter and ridicule. When they came to the Market Bridge, the Donkey, getting one of his feet loose, kicked, causing the boy to drop his end of the pole. In the struggle the Donkey fell over the bridge and was drowned. “That will teach you,” said an old man who had followed them; “Please all and you will please none.”

Often it seems that as Americas we try so hard to please the world and only end up losing friends and empowering our enemies. Have we lost our purpose or have we lost all common sense? As we consider the demise of American Common Sense it’s appropriate to feature an obituary printed in the London Times that Lou Easterling shared.

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 since his birth 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; life is not always fair; and maybe it was my fault. Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don’t spend more than you earn) and reliable strategies (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 sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from schools 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 in disciplining their uncontrollable children. It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun screen or an aspirin to a student but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion. Common Sense lost the will to live as the 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 could 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, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement. Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust, by his wife, Discretion, by his daughter, Responsibility, and by his son, Reason. He is survived by his 5 stepbrothers: I know my rights, I want it now, Some one else is to blame, I’m a victim, and Pay me for doing nothing. Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. And then chaos ruled.