Common Sense

There are often times when we should look at ourselves and reflect – this story may help.

The clinical manager of a new, state of the art institution specialising in the medical care of those with severe mental health conditions was showing an important visitor around the site. On arrival at the secure unit the Visitor asked “Do you have a set procedure for deciding whether a patient should be institutionalised?”.

“We have a psychological test that is very effective” replied the Clinical Director “The patient is asked to empty a bath full of water, they are given either a bucket a cup or a teaspoon to assist them in this task”.

“So the correct answer would be the large bucket, as this removes the largest volume of water within the shortest time” replied the visitor.

“No, the correct answer would be to pull out the plug” replied the Clinical Director “ Would you like a bed by the window?”

 ‘An Obituary for ‘Common Sense’

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 isn’t always fair
- Maybe it was my fault

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don’t spend more than you can 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.

Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children.

It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion 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 criminals received better treatment than their victims, and terrorists and illegal immigrants couldn’t be deported because of their human rights.

Common Sense took a beating when you couldn’t defend yourself from a burglar in your own home, without being charged by the police and the burglar could sue you for assault.

Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after we bailed out the banks, had our wages frozen, libraries closed, services cut, taxes increased, but the bankers continued to get bonuses, and not one banker or politician was ever held to account.

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 4 Step-Brothers:

…I Know My Rights
…I Want It Now
…Someone Else Is To Blame
…I’m A Victim

Not many attended his funeral because so few realised he was gone.