<p><img src="images/articles/gravestone.jpg" border="0" alt="R.I.P." hspace="7" width="198" height="222" style="float: left; border: 0;" /></p>
<h3>Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, <strong><em>Common Sense,</em></strong> 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:</h3>
<p>- Knowing when to come in out of the rain; <br /> -  Why the early bird gets the worm; <br /> - Life isn't always fair; <br /> - and maybe  it was my fault. <br /><br />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).<br /><br />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  school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an  unruly student, only worsened his condition.</p>
