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                                  OBITUARY


Today we mourn the passing of an old friend, by the name of Common Sense.
Common Sense lived a long life but died from heart failure on 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 (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 overbearing regulations.
He watched in pain as good people became ruled by self-seeking lawyers.

His health rapidly deteriorated when schools endlessly implemented zero
tolerance policies, reports of six year old boys 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. It declined even further when schools had to get parental consent
to administer aspirin to a student but cannot inform the parent when the
female student is pregnant or wants an abortion.

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. Finally a woman who was stupid enough not to
realize that coffee is hot and was awarded a huge pay-out caused Common
Sense to finally throw in the towel. 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, bicycle
helmets and mandatory air bags.

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 stepbrothers: My Rights and Ima Whiner. Not many attended
his funeral because so few realized he was gone.
Saundra Kae Rubel
http://www.saundrakaerubel.com
(listed on the Wall Street Executive Library, CIO Career Sources and The 
Back Room)