Just two thoughts for today, both sent to this writer by loyal readers.

The first, sent to me by an old friend, Jack Evans who lives in South Carolina, deals with the economy.The second deals with something we all know is lacking these days common sense.First, the economy.THE OBAMACONOMYThe Obamaconomy is so bad that I got a pre-declined credit card in the mail.It's so bad, I ordered a burger at McDonalds and the kid behind the counter asked, "Can you afford fries with that?"The Obamaconomy is so bad that CEOs are now playing miniature golf.The Obamaconomy is so bad if the bank returns your check marked "Insufficient Funds," call and ask if they meant you or them.The Obamaconomy is so bad Hot Wheels and Matchbox stocks are trading higher than General Motors.The Obamaconomy is so bad parents in Beverly Hills have fired their nannies and learned their children's names.The Obamaconomy is so bad a truckload of Americans was caught sneaking into Mexico.The Obamaconomy is so bad Dick Cheney took his stockbroker hunting.The Obamaconomy is so bad Motel Six won't leave the light on anymore.The Obamaconomy is so bad the Mafia is laying off judges.The Obamaconomy is so bad Goldman-Sachs laid off 25 Congressmen.And finally...Congress says they are finally looking into the Bernard Madoff scandal.Great!The guy who made $50 Billion disappear is being investigated by the people who just made $1.5 Trillion disappear...And now, here's some thoughts about the demise of common sense. Let us bow our heads.An Obituary printed in the London Times: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 (don't spend more than you can earn) and reliable 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 charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children.It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.Common Sense lost the will to live as the 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, by his wife, Discretion, by his daughter, Responsibility, and by his son, Reason..He is survived by his four stepbrothers;I Know My RightsI Want It NowSomeone Else Is To BlameI'm A VictimNot many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.