Good Common Sense

That phrase was drilled into us as kids. Things just had to make good common sense or you didn’t do it. Of course, that occasionally tripped up the old man but honestly, it’s been a good rule to live by and while it’s cost me a few jobs over the years, it has never cost me a nights sleep. Judging from some of the stuff we have seen happen across America the past 20 years, I’m starting to wonder if having good common sense is a blessing or a curse? So many of the things that make the headlines seem to hinge upon having it or not and an awful lot of it appears to be on the lacking side of the meter.

I hate to point fingers but much of the garbage we are seeing in Ferguson, in ISIS, in Russia, and all across the world comes down to parents not teaching their children common sense. Now, that isn’t entirely fair because in so many cases the lacking of common sense has been going on from one generation to another for decades, even centuries. In fact what passes for good common sense depends heavily upon who’s common sense you want to apply. In many parts of the world what makes sense to us, is a complete mystery to others and that goes vice versa as well. The fact is that all of this is so speculative one must wonder what can be used as a guide?

Many will fall back upon their religious experience and that’s not a bad start, but like all things, that can be twisted and manipulated to say anything depending upon who’s doing the talking. Others would go to their political indoctrination but again, from who’s point of view? And let’s not forget the age thing where we get to the point where we are the oldest in the room, but that certainly doesn’t guarantee common sense, in fact I’m often told that makes NO sense at all.

I think the only fair thing to say about it all is that good sense, good judgment, and simple goodness starts in the home. If the parents are patient and teach their children the difference between right and wrong, that good common sense seems to just flourish because the two go hand in hand. When a person learns to respect authority they have little to fear from authority. When they learn the value of honesty and decency they too will enjoy the same. If you are a religious person you’re probably familiar with the para-phrase “do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. Doesn’t have to be especially exclusive to any religion, it’s just a concept that … you guessed it …. Makes good common sense.

I’m not a particular fan of Rev. Al Sharpton, mainly because of many of his earlier antics but today I listened to a much more focused Rev. Al and you know … he actually was making good common sense, in fact all of the people were speaking slowly, clearly, and directly. No silly or foolish accusations, they simply were asking for the same thing any of us would expect. Fair play, fair treatment … simply put, fairness. Sadly, had the officer involved been using his good common sense he would have realized those stolen cigars were a minor item. Rather than call suspects over to his car, he would have gotten out so he was prepared for any problems and he would have used his mace to subdue the perpetrator rather than start shooting. Someone on the force as long as him should have enough good common sense to follow procedure and safeguard the public. The prosecuting attorney … I’m afraid he left me believing he has no sense at all, but that is for others to decide.

Good common sense …. It’s a gift I would love to give everyone, especially those who’s simple decisions can weight so heavily on the rest of us.