Didn't Obummer say something to the effect that Oil/Coal should be expensive and if he had his way it would? So gas has doubled since his reign has begun and coal mines are being closed and coal miners are becoming unemployed. What a horrid view of life in America. I really miss Ronald Reagan. He didn't sugar coat issues, but he made you feel a sense of confidence in the future. Obummer is the anti-Reagan. I hope the electorate declares to him on 6 November 2012: "You have been weighed in the balance. You have been found wanting. Today your kingdom is removed from you." God Bless the U.S.A!

Dr. Sowell, I wish your work was required reading. Too many sheep following the false shepherd, being mislead and decieved. Thank you for your great work. Long Life and good health to you sir. MAy God continue to bless you.

Yet as a group, blacks vote Democrat and support the same unions that tried to keep them from getting ahead. Get off the government plantation already. If folks looked at history, they'd likely see that the Republican Party has been the party that has been trying to liberate them and help them to get ahead.

Another spot on infomative article by Dr. Sowell. Thank you Sir.

Took the whole family to CFA appreciation day to show our support. Waited 1 & 1/2 hours before I could order the food. It was soooo good. Met some nice people too. I will make it a point of hitting CFA more often. Thanks for the controversy. Did I mention the good food?

Gabby: Congratulations on your Golds! I am very proud of you, and I don't even know you. Great job at the Olympics. Way to go U.S.A.! You seem to be a real sweetheart! God Bless you young lady.

Sometimes what we think does not come out in what we write.

God bless the WWII generation. They sacrificed a lot. Just like the War for Independance generation. The true "Greatest Generation". The WWII gets 2d "Greatest Generation" position. (Their kids get "Worst Generation" staus though. Damn Hippies & Yippies and Beatnicks.) Thank God for people of honor and integrity.

Re: Abolition of Slavery (Clarification): Slave families could be broken up, sold off etc... My point is freed blacks were better off after the "War Between The States" (as opposed to the "Civil War"; thank you Dr. Williams). The abolition of slavery was a good thing. Freed blacks were better off as a result. The way I wrote above did not correctly convey my thoughts and I hope I have been able to clarify them here.

I think that it is worth noting that if it were a white president making special arrangements for white kids, he'd be run out of town. That being said... It's difficult to have an intelligent conversation with some folks regarding these issues. If a white brings up stats about the well being of children raised in an intact two parent household or numbers pertaining to the illegitimacy rates of different groups he may be deemed a racist. Race has nothing to do with these. It's values and principles. The "War on Poverty" is arguably the worst thing to happen to black families since the abolition of slavery. Jim Crow laws were bad, but the Federal Government reaching out to help the poor (all races & ethnicities) has been far worse.

Dr. Sowell, Thank you for putting matters so plainly. Unfortunately, I know too many people who feel bad for the less fortunate and who feel that more government is the answer.