Travelling in the UK these past few weeks has given me a much clearer indication of just how much social standards have deteriorated and just why I have become "a grumpy old man"

Every time I visit, I think to myself "I must leave these shores - and soon" and then, rather like awakening from a bad dream, I realise that I already have and being here is just a temporary inconvenience. You cannot imagine the relief.

Most of all, I have witnessed the death of "common sense"

Here is his obituary:

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 lost long ago 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; his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason.

He is survived by his four stepbrothers; I Know My Rights, I Want It Now, Someone Else Is To Blame, and I'm A Victim.

Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.

(With gratitude for the collusion, to a fellow "grumpy old man" living down under - my very good friend and leadership guru, Kevin Dwyer)

Today's News:

A very familiar winner of Top Sales Article Of The Week - and she was thrilled!

Over at Business Expert Webinars this week, you will, as usual, find lots of Top Sales Experts presenting:

Secrets to Overcoming Objections
Topic: Sales
8/11/08 11:30am EASTERN TIME
Presented by Kelley Robertson

Sell at Higher Prices by Becoming the Emotional Favorite
Topic: Sales - Business Development
8/13/08 11:30am EASTERN TIME
Presented by Craig Elias

Powerful Networking Strategies!
Topic: Networking
8/13/08 2:30pm EASTERN TIME
Presented by Craig James

Reach the Top Dog: Crafting the Compelling Cold Call Scripts Prospects Simply Can Not Resist
Topic: Sales - Business Development
8/14/08 2:30pm EASTERN TIME
Presented by Leslie Buterin

To see full details of any of the above sessions, please just click on the banner below

Finally, just one interesting blog post for you to enjoy today: It's that man Christian Maurer again with "Get the business=get the respect... why doctors are more respected than salespeople"

Tomorrow: It's the return of the very sassy Sales Diva, Kim Duke herself on The JF Guest Author Spot