Common Sense - sound prudent judgment; the opinion of ordinary men who are not experts in a field. This is the dictionary's definition of common sense, which interpreted by "ordinary me" would read thus; the ability to see a situation for what it really is and apply the most sensible solution. As simple and obvious as the latter solution would seem to most "ordinary people" this ability is profoundly lacking in the practices of America's experts, including law makers, politicians, the media, and big businesses.
Take for instance the criminal justice system and cases where viable evidence is thrown out even if that evidence positively identifies the assailant. Many an accused have suffered at the hands of the lack of common sense in the judicial system because of this flaw, and many a criminal have been released because of this flaw. But because court procedure prohibits or allows the submission of certain evidence based on technicalities, many cases have been misjudged.
Frivolous lawsuits are another area where common sense has died. When the first idiotic lawsuit won in court (like the McDonalds coffee case) and others followed that were just as idiotic and people began cleaning up in millions, it would seem that someone in authority would stop the craziness and get back to the basics. Now anyone can sue any business for any idiotic reason and collect a mil. It cannot be brought back under control because it has gone too far already. Common sense would say not to allow such frivolousness in such an historical and sound judicial system.
Politicians push for laws that do nothing to solve the problem. For instance, when crime rates rise in cities, governors and mayors hire more police. This is not effective because it does not address the root of the problem; it only acts as a front for that politician during his or her term. If the crime rate is rising it does not mean there are more criminals, it means either the police are not doing their jobs, the judicial system is freeing more criminals, or citizen involvement is too low. Adding more police to the streets addresses neither of those issues, it only adds more to the deficit.
When unemployment is rising and the stats of the poor are also rising, legislation is passed to raise the minimum wage. This does not solve the problem. Common sense says that if the cost of living rises higher, raising the minimum wage does nothing but meet the rising cost of living. Minimum wage does not make the poor wealthier, it allows them to survive on the same level. It is the stupidest policy ever enforced. Politicians and legislators that apply this solution are doing nothing.
News anchors and reporters say the stupidest things. For example, when America invaded Iraq, reports were coming in constantly about the possibility of the death or capture of Saddam Hussein during many invasions and attacks. Reporters would say things like "We won't know how close we are to catching him until we actually have him in custody." Duh? Or for instance, "An Apache helicopter crashed over Baghdad today due to a mechanical failure. It was unknown whether or not enemy gunfire played a part." Well let's see, is it possible that enemy gunfire caused the mechanical failure? One thing about the media is they think and honestly believe that the average viewer is a complete dunce.
Television ads that attempt to portray smoking as "stupid" by using kids and dogs to promote their message neglect to understand that not all people learn through visual aids, some people having different learning styles. People will choose not to smoke when they are ready, not when the media suggest. This type solution is non-effective in addition to wasting money. Same with guns and drugs, kids have access to both and will partake in both until they learn by example, not by television ads. It makes no sense whatsoever to install expensive security systems in schools and pay for police protection thus turning schoolhouses into jailhouses when the root of the problem is not addressed, which is parental responsibility.
Big businesses that produce commodities and services such as automobiles, computers, tobacco, cell-phones, fast food, and anything else susceptible to litigation live in a virtual unprotected society against a public that view them simply as tickets to wealth. If the goods and or service are life threatening as some advocate groups and lawyers claim then the good or service should not be produced. At some point someone has to differentiate between the stupidity of the legal system and the public's wants and needs.
Why produce a vehicle that has been proven to over-turn at a sharp curve? Why sell foods that contribute to the downfall of a person's health? Why manufacture a cell-phone if people use them while driving adding to their chances of death? Why grow and market products that cause lung cancer or liver disease or obesity? What is the point of fighting against these businesses while the same society allows abortion, which increases the chances of the mother dying? A society that supposedly has the strongest military in the world yet allow illegal drugs into the country to defile its citizens; a society that has the most advanced medical technology in the world yet has the worse health problems.
How does common sense figure into a society that discourages kids from smoking and drugs while supplying them with condoms and birth control and options of abortion? Where does common sense come into play in a society that complains about gun violence and crime but televises the same 24 hours and day? That bans prayer from schools but ordain homosexuals to lead church congregations; or that takes pride in feeding the poor of the world but publish annual reports on the poor in America. Should there be poor in America?
What sense does it make to enforce a child support order on a man and imprison him if he cannot meet the payments, how can he pay anything then? Why should a man pay alimony if women are considered equal to men? Where is the reasoning in sentencing a person to two life terms? Why are ex-cons not actually rehabilitated? How can anyone be expected to pay bills if they have been laid-off through no fault of their own? How can someone born in poverty and someone born to riches ever have the same opportunities? Why are pictures of Jesus white when he was born a Hebrew? How can Santa Claus travel at the speed of light and his flesh not disintegrate?
These are all questions and issues needing common sense solutions that could possibly improve society, but the thought process of this country's leadership has disintegrated itself. Boggled up in technicalities, bureaucratic red tape, and moral inconsistencies, the intelligence needed to sustain as a nation is rapidly disappearing into the pages of a book that will one day tell the story of America's destruction of itself.
Source
http://afromerica.com/knowledge/psychology/intelligence/commonsense.php
