To the Editor:
I am seeking permission to use excerpts of an article you wrote in your newspaper -- June 2003, Vol. 24, Issue 6
-- entitled "Coming of Age."
Dr. Michael Gumpper, Professor of Economics at Millersville University, and I are working on a high school curriculum that teaches the economics of land use.  It will be published by Economics Pennsyl-vania, 123 North Market Street, Selins-grove, PA 17870.
Your article is perfect to illustrate the impact of land use and to serve as a sample of land use articles.  Your article is to be used for educational purposes only and will not promote or support any opposing position.
I will be happy to forward you a copy of the excerpt I plan to use.  Thank you for your consideration of this request.
Charlotte L. Higler
Economics Pennsylvania
Wallingford, Pennsylvania

To the Editor:
Hi, Sue.  Found this on the internet.  I'm also e-mailing it to Jenny and Nick.  It's sort of what you and I have talked about and agree on, The Sad Death of Common Sense ...
"Today we mourn the passing of an old friend, Common Sense.  Common Sense lived a long life, but died recently in the United States.  No one really knows how old he was, since his birth records were lost long ago in bureaucratic red tape.
"He selflessly devoted his life to ser-vice in schools, hospitals, homes, and factories, helping folks get jobs done without fanfare and foolishness.  For decades, petty rules, silly laws, and frivolous lawsuits held no power over Common Sense.
"He was credited with cultivating such valued lessons as knowing when to come in out of the rain, why the early bird gets the worm, and that life isn't always fair.
"Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you earn), reliable parenting strategies (the adults are in charge, not the kids), and it's okay to come in second.
"A veteran of the Industrial Revolu-tion, the Great Depression, and the Tech-nological Revolution, Common Sense sur-vived cultural and educational trends including body piercing, whole language, and new math.
"But his health declined when
he became infected with the virus
called "If-it-only-helps-one-person-it's-worth-it."
"In recent decades his waning strength proved no match for the ravages of well-intentioned but overbearing regulations.
"Common Sense watched in pain as good people became ruled by self-seeking lawyers.  His health rapidly deteriorated when schools endlessly implemented zero-tolerance policies.  Reports of a six-year-old boy charged with sexual harass-ment for kissing a classmate, a teen sus-pended for taking a swig of mouthwash after lunch, and a teacher fired for repri-manding an unruly student only worsened his condition.
"It declined even further when schools had to get parental consent to administer aspirin to a student but could not inform the parent when a female student was pregnant or wanted an abortion.
"Finally, Common Sense lost his will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband, churches became businesses, criminals received better treatment than victims, and federal judges stuck their noses in everything from boy scouts to professional sports.
"When people, too stupid to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot, were awarded a huge settlement, Common Sense threw in the towel.
"As the end neared, Common Sense drifted in and out of logic but was kept informed of developments regarding regulations such as those for low-flow toilets, rocking chairs, and step ladders.
"Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust; his wife Discretion; his daughter Responsi-bility; and his son Reason.  He is survived by two step-siblings:  My Rights and Ima Whiner.
"Not many attended his funeral because so few realized that Common Sense was gone."
Love,
Just me, Al