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, and maybe it was my fault. Common-Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies such as don't spend more than you earn, and reliable parenting 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 accused of sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition. Common-Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job they themselves failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. He declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer Paracetemol, sun lotion or a sticky plaster to a child, but could not inform the parents when a student became pregnant and wanted an abortion.

Common-Sense lost the will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband: 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, his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason. He is survived by three stepbrothers; I Know My Rights, Someone Else is to Blame and I'm The Victim. Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he had gone.