A HIGHWAY DEATH

CARL SCHURZ SAID OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN IN 1864, "HE POSSESSES TO A REMARKABLE DEGREE THE CHARACTERISTIC, GOD-GIVEN TRAIT OF THIS PEOPLE, SOUND COMMON SENSE." ONE HUNDRED FORTY THREE YEARS REPRESENTS A LONG, LINGERING DEATH. COMMON SENSE USED TO SAY THAT WHAT IS LEGAL SHOULD PROBABLY BE EXPRESSED WITH CIVILITY, BUT PUBLIC DISCOURSE TODAY CONTRADICTS THIS. COMMON SENSE USED TO SAY THAT HOME-MADE PASTA ENTREES ARE FAR CHEAPER TO PREPARE THAN FROZEN ONES, BUT PUBLIC PATRONAGE OF A 150 MILLION DOLLAR INDUSTRY (FOR ONE COMPANY) CONTRADICTS THIS. COMMON SENSE USED TO NOTE THAT THE FREE EXCHANGE OF IDEAS AND GOODS IMPROVES LIFE AT ALL ECONOMIC LEVELS, BUT ACCEPTED MEDIA PROPAGANDA AGAINST 'OFF-SHORING', 'OUTSOURCING', 'UNFAIR TRADE POLICIES' AND 'FOREIGN IMPORTS' CONTRADICT THIS. COMMON SENSE USED TO SAY THAT MARKETING ONE'S CHILDREN'S SEXUAL FAVORS CONTRADICTS THE ASSUMPTION OF PROPER PRIOR PARENTING, BUT DEBASED REALITIES CONTRADICT THIS.

MR. SCHURZ ATTRIBUTED TO HIS 19TH CENTURY FELLOW AMERICANS COMMON SENSE, ALSO CALLING IT A GOD-GIVEN TRAIT. WHAT A DOUBLE WHAMMY THAT BOTH FACTS ARE CONTRADICTED BY BELIEFS AND BEHAVIORS TODAY.

EACH CRIME AGAINST COMMON SENSE AND EACH LAW AND REGULATION LEGISLATED ANEW, PROVES THAT COMMON SENSE DIED SOMEWHERE ALONG THE GREAT AMERICAN HIGHWAY. THE STENCH OF THE ROAD KILL IS EVERYWHERE. HAS GOD FORSAKEN US THIS EASTER?

HINT: WE WHO SLURP OUTDATED, DONATED CANS OF SOUP STILL SALUTE YOU, COMMON SENSE. WE WHO RECYCLE OUR CANS, REUSE OUR HANDKERCHIEFS, REMEMBER OUR HARD-WORKING FOR-BEARERS AND REFUSE TO JOIN THE RANKS OF THE RE-USABLE DENIERS - SALUTE YOU, COMMON SENSE.