I was enjoying a discussion with fellow Bloggers about irresponsible kids and their stupid parents when Ben Sutherland asked a simple question:
When did common sense become brain surgery?
Papa Silverfiddle has said as much to me on various occasions. I was talking to him enthusiastically about one of Dave Ramsey's financial advice books and my dad could not believe somebody was making money selling common sense. This was information he learned on on my Grand Pappy's knee. Nothing against Dave Ramsey, he is doing the Lord's work for those willing to heed his sound advice, but this is stuff we used to know and take for granted:
Don't spend more than you have
Don't buy more house than you can afford
Live below your means if you want to save money
If you don't understand it, don't put your money in it
Save money for a rainy day
If it looks too good to be true, it probably is
There's no such thing as a free lunch
You can't cheat an honest man
Horace Greeley was right: Common sense is very uncommon.
5 comments:
My dad told us the exact same things, but I am shamelessly using this for Monday. A H/T back to you!
No problem Linda! Information is for sharing. If I had to come up with everything on my own this blog would be empty.
Great post!
My parents, very wise people though I didn't know so at the time, managed to teach me the realities, i.e., common sense.
Thank God that Mr. AOW had the same kind of parents.
If Mr. AOW and I hadn't saved for "the rainy day," we'd have been bankrupted because of all the recent medical expenses.
Hi Ho Silver . . . Great post. Common sense should be a class in every grade from Kindergarten to College. What is happening. Parents no longer impart it to their kids. Preachers see common sense as a theological challenge. Rotary Clubs put networking first. Kiwanis reaches only the brilliant youngsters. The Ivy League schools produce only John Kerry clones. The Federal Government creates thieves and earmarks and $5,000 wrenches. Our legal eagles follow the money regardless of ethics (like the despicable John Edwards). The Boy Scouts MUST admit gay scoutmasters and girls to be approved. WHERE DOES A KID LEARN COMMON SENSE?
Bump
Thanks, Old man!
It's all up to parents. The only way I see government getting involved is for them to remove the safety nets and guard rails that protect the stupid, the venal and the reckless from the consequences of their actions.
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