Elaine Harris Spearman Commentary: So many voters cast common sense aside

Do you know what “innate intelligence; common sense” is? It is the dictionary definition of “mother wit.” People of a certain age, reared in the South, heard the definition more than they heard the word mother wit.

In those days gone by, long before we had an “education,” we were reminded to “use your common sense.” How many times did you hear a parent, elder relative or family friend lament, “The boy has no common sense.”

There are many phrases that you hear that describe a lack of common sense. “Educated fool” is one that we hear most often. The Scriptures are filled with wise sayings describing fools, foolishness, foolish behavior, wise men and the work of fools.

If you look at the two words that someone put together long ago, “educated fool,” you will ultimately come up with the vision that was being captured with the two-word phrase. Obvious would be a person with “book learning,” but lacking in common sense or “mother wit.”

Does it matter that so many people are not exercising what should be common sense, across this country?

It does not take a thesis or an extensive educational background to come to the conclusion that there are people who do not need to be in leadership positions. This is true at the national, state and local levels.

Foolish behavior has been on the radar for a very long time. One of the greatest singers of all time is Michael McDonald, formerly of the legendary Doobie Brothers. Michael plaintively sings, “What a fool believes, he sees; a wise man has the power to reason away ... .”

Cuba Gooding Sr. sang all those many years ago, “Everybody plays the fool sometimes, there’s no exception to the rule ... .”

“Fools rush in where angels fear to tread,” crooned Brook Benton, I do believe.

Foolish behavior and lack of common sense seem acceptable in so many instances, by so many people. I am many times bewildered at the lack of common sense displayed by so many in the choices made for leadership.

Common sense does not mean believe what I believe, or think in the manner that I do. It means reading and paying attention to what you read, or hear, and letting it matter who the deliverer is. It means weighing the content of the speech and making an informed decision on your choice.

What would cast common sense to the wind when supporters laughed at a disgraced former president continuing to likely defame E. Jean Carroll, the woman he was just found guilty of defaming, according to an article in USA Today?

What would make people support someone for leadership of the United States who has supported and encouraged an attack on the U.S. Capitol? That same person has publicly stated that he will swiftly pardon most of the imprisoned attackers, possibly some of the Proud Boys who were convicted of seditious conspiracy, because they’re “great people.”

When the audience at the recent CNN town hall meeting applauded, what does this mean for the rest of us? When the pied piper of this sham meeting told his supporters to “stand back and stand by,” it suggested a call to violence should he believe that it was needed.

What could you possibly believe that it means for the 81 million people who did not vote to retain a would-be autocrat? Should we have to endure his leadership a second time around, we can be assured that it would be more disastrous than the first time around, with a more deadly end.

Why can’t common sense prevail when you see a U.S. representative in the person of George Santos, who is accused of fabricating his entire life story to secure public office? The New York Republican has been charged with 13 felony counts that include wire fraud, theft of public funds, money laundering and two counts of making materially false statements to the House of Representatives.

Innocent until proven guilty, Santos has acknowledged misleading voters about his personal and professional experience. He has vowed to remain in office. He has the support of much of the national Republican leadership.

On a state level, the Texas House voted to expel Republican Rep. Bryon Staton after it was determined that he violated multiple rules by engaging in sexual misconduct with a 19-year-old staff member, and by providing alcohol to an underage person coupled with attempted intimidation of that person. He did not apologize in his letter of resignation.

Remember the Tennessee legislators who were removed for use of a bullhorn on the floor and conduct that violated rules? Of course, they were sent right back.

What conduct or behavior will cause voters to use common sense when they look at candidates as well as those who actually occupy office? Common sense should prevail and result in their non-election or failure to be re-elected at best, and removal at the very least.

Elaine Harris Spearman, Esq., a Gadsden native, is an attorney and is the retired legal advisor to the comptroller of the City of St. Louis. The views reflected are her own. 

This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: Elaine Harris Spearman wonders where common sense has gone