Lately I have been wondering how we became so stupid. I’m serious — look around, there are unlimited examples of stupid in our world.
For example, a store has at least 400 parking spaces but people park in the fire lanes. Maybe they are waiting for someone. Maybe they are just running in for an item or two. They park in the fire lanes as if they are special, unlike the rest of us who use the designated spaces.
Yes, I know some people are picking up an item that has to be loaded, those are not the people I am talking about.
Then there are people who use handicap parking spaces who are not handicapped. Folks, it is hard enough in life to deal with a disability. No one wishes to be in a wheelchair, or use a walker, or be unable to walk even short distances. That’s who those spaces are intended for.
The person with the handicap must exit or enter the vehicle parked in the handicapped space. If you are handicapped but your partner isn’t, don’t park in those spaces and wait for the able-bodied person to go into the store and return.  
The recent shooter in Aurora had a gun. How can we, as a society, be stupid enough to let a convicted felon have a firearm?
Even a simple act such as recycling brings out the stupid.
Recently, the Ogle County Solid Waste Management Department announced the recycling bins in Rochelle and elsewhere in the county will be closed. In a news release, they cited the number of non-recyclable items that show up in the bins. The bins in Rochelle had 22 tires. Dumping tires in the bin reflects a high point of stupid.
And then there is the texting while driving crowd. Need I say more? Ditto for the people on their cell phones unless they are hands free. Hang up and drive.
Or, the people who think it is ok to do something because they have the ability to do it. For example, you have an ATV or a snowmobile and that makes it ok to run through private property or go into parks or on the bike path. Having the capability to do something doesn’t mean you should do it.
We all do something stupid in our lives at some point.
Let’s make the world a better place by being smarter.
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Kudos to the folks who kept the lights on, the water flowing, and the roads clear. The end of winter is almost here…just hold on for another week. Or two. Or three.

Terry Dickow is a retired elementary school teacher with lots of opinions, some you will like, some you won’t. He can be contacted at terrydickow@gmail.com.