Common Sense as Rocket Science

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?

My Dad 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 Papa Silverfiddle 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.