


If you have read all the other sections of this site, then I would ask you,  "Are there any subjects I’ve missed?" If so, it’s just because no one has gotten me started on that subject yet. My daughters, since in high school, have many times interrupted one of my dissertations with “Can we have the Reader’s Digest version Dad?” So, I hope this has not been too long or boring for you, my kids, my grand-kids, or whomever else may be reading this. My biggest hope is that whomever reads these opinions and agrees, may be moved and even angered enough to also voice their own opinions and hopefully make an effort to bring about some change. If you read this and disagree, I certainly respect your freedom to be wrong. If you read this and were offended, you’re probably a politician, lawyer, doctor, civil servant, among the rich and famous or part of an unemployed minority ethnic group. If you read this and agree, then, like me, you are just one of the underpaid, un-heard, common working class majority. If you are in the latter group, please pass this along to a friend like yourself, so that at some point maybe we common people, with common sense, can start getting together and singing the same song of objection, loud enough to be heard.

The present state of the nation genuinely concerns me. I graduated high school in 1962. In the forty years passed, while the world has made great strides in science, medicine, technology, etc. we have seen American morals and ethics seem to decline. American students basic skills in math, the sciences, reading and writing have declined when compared to students from other countries. When I look back at the 60’s I don’t recall children being abducted and killed like today’s daily headlines indicate. We didn’t have to have a war on drugs, and a war on crime. Of course it was there, but not like today. There were very few people who earned over ten million dollars a year, if ANY. Companies cared about their employees and although still difficult, government employees could be fired for not doing their jobs. Criminals went to jail and we didn’t have to have police patrolling our schools and airports. Sex and violence were limited on TV and even the big screen. When looking at where we have come, from then to now, I’m afraid to even guess where we might be headed in the next forty years.

If I ever found myself on talk radio, I’d love to argue some of these points with any disagreeing listeners. Even further, if this ever gets into book form and you personally paid good money to read this and still disagree, please write me your objections and thoughts, because I do keep an open mind and am always interested it learning from others. Everything I know today ... I’ve learned, one way or another, from personal experience or from others!  Learning from others is usually far less painful.

In case I forgot to mention it, I think, for what they do, the most underpaid people in America are law enforcement officers, firefighters, and teachers.

Finally, if you can find nothing wrong that needs to be change for the better, and you feel that my objections and observations herein are unjust, then you keep on doing nothing and be assured things will stay the same or eventually they will get worse. However, if you do agree with me vote! Get others to vote! If you have not voted every time you had the opportunity, then YOU are part of the problem! Go to the meetings and hearings conduced by your elected officials, from local, all the way to Washington if possible. Write letters, make phone calls, stir the pot and get INVOLVED! Start complaining! Make waves! This is the ONLY way change is going to be brought about. It won’t happen overnight or at the very next election, or even the one after that. But if the common sense working class will give up that notion that we can’t make any changes and start binding together and singing the same song, WE WILL begin to make a difference. If we sit back and expect the present politicians to change it, then it’s going to keep changing in the same way that we have seen it change over the past 40-50 years.

Let’s get some COMMON people back into government and business, so we can start having some COMMON SENSE decisions and planning. Maybe we can we get a new cabinet post; Secretary of Common Sense …. if not with veto power, at least with access to the government’s ear.  Right now it’s quite obvious that our present politicians and corporate executives are not listening to the common man, which apparently is the only place left where common sense is still alive.

I’m trying to do my part by writing this down. Is there anyone else willing to help in the common sense restoration/revolution?  Can I hear an Amen? Can I get someone to start publishing the cries of a common man on behalf of his country?

The following came to me in an e-mail, author unknown. I feel like some newspaper columnist or reporter may be the father.  It deserves acknowledgment.  I leave it with you now for your consideration and afterthoughts.

Obituary (The Times, May 2002)

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 early in the new 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 (or even last, as long as your best efforts were given).

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 payout for her stupidity, caused Common Sense to finally throw in the towel. Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents,


He is survived by two stepbrothers: My Rights and Ima Whiner.  Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.