January 10th, 2012 will be the 236th anniversary of the initial publication of Thomas Paine's seminal pamphlet, Common Sense—inarguably a chief catalyst for the American Revolution gaining support from the colonial masses.

Paine provided a simple and easy-to-understand rationale for freedom from British rule.  His straightforward approach brought average Americans into the political debate.

In 2012 who is going to free us from an overly oppressive government?

Well, more that two centuries post Common Sense, it's time for each and every one of us to take responsibility and channel some Thomas Paine.  A little common sense would go a long way, particularly given the current state of the country and world. 

Sounds like a pretty good New Year's Resolution.

Let's make ourselves the final arbiter of what's right and wrong.  We have the capacity to strip away the biases of the media, politicians, their operatives, and others—to look at the facts, then apply a basic reasonableness test to partisan arguments.

Forget about the who and focus on the what.

Is it common sense to believe that continued U.S. government spending at European or near-European levels won't have the same catastrophic consequences?

Is it common sense to believe that soldiers trained to put country ahead of self and handle the most dangerous circumstances imaginable with calm and balance can't tolerate colleagues who have a sexual orientation different from their own?

Is it common sense to believe that the government, rather than private sector, is going to be the answer to our economic woes?

Is it common sense to believe that programs and departments whose funding has increased upwards of 100% over the last 3+ years can't have their budgets cut by 50% or more?

Is it common sense to believe we cannot safely expand the production of our vast domestic energy resources while simultaneously attempting to explore the viability of various alternatives?

Is it common sense to believe that "entitlement" programs that have one person collecting for every two or three paying in, as opposed to the 30 or 40+ that used to pay in for each recipient, are sustainable without reasonable reforms?

Is it common sense to believe we are better off as a country with a leader (and movement) who cynically and irrationally looks to divide us, rather than one who understands we all flourish when there is optimism and a respect for what has made us great?

Is it common sense to believe that a nation can prosper with a government that believes it is the first best option to fix everything that ails us, down to the most minute detail (e.g. 40,000 new rules and regulations took effect on 1/1/2012)?

I resolve to make sure that facts and common sense always determine my positions.

How about you?

Have a happy and rewarding New Year!