Time for politicians to ditch ‘common sense’

Politicians toss around the phrase “common sense legislation” with frequency. It shows up in lawmakers’ emails, newspaper quotes, and press conferences.

But as they say, “Common sense is not so common.”

I’m insulted when a politician touts the “common sense” of stripping away human rights. Or laws reportedly designed to protect “parental rights.” It’s “common sense” when one parent’s complaint bans a book from every public school in Iowa. But it’s also “common sense” to keep parents from seeking medical care for their children? Apparently, lawmakers trust only some parents’ “common sense.” And withholding emergency medical care while a pregnant person agonizes through a life-threatening infection is anything but “common sense!”

By the same token, some believe that basic concepts defy “common sense.” Like ensuring the civil liberties of all Iowans. Or respecting every individual for who they are. Or teaching well-established, fact-based history and science. Or the free expression of ideas, even those we don’t agree with. These all make perfect common sense to me. But not to everyone.

One person’s “common sense” is another person’s insanity. But politicians believe we’ll accept unpopular ideas if they’re labeled “common sense legislation.” Who are we, the uninformed masses, to question the “common sense” of our all-knowing elected officials?

But wait! No! It’s literally our job as constituents and voters. WE must hold politicians accountable in public opinion and at the ballot box. WE, THE PEOPLE, not politicians, must decide what is and is not common sense!

Gordie Felger

Hiawatha