Check your history: They were the black southern slaves. They were to be counted as 3/5 in order not to give all the power to the Southern Democrats who wanted to preserve slavery. This balance allowed the eventual emancipation.

OK so Jefferson owned slaves -- so what -- that was the and this is now. Can't you separate that?

"If you were to look for thinkers..." so you stopped looking, but are arguing with those who are? The "conservative echo chamber" what the heck is that?... some academic concept you can't define. ..and I think Dr Sowell has has made in-roads in persuasion ... I judge that by the popularity of his books, his appearance on many radio and other shows etc. So ... you are just waiting around waiting to be sold some ideal, and spend your time damning with faint praise those who don't met your criteria of "luminary"? PLEASE ... Do something more useful with your time.

I think your fetish about FOX news is making you stupid.

Although the tariffs on sugar imports are important here is another point to consider, and well as some information clarifying the sugar chemistry: What we commonly refer to as SUGAR is Sucrose Sucrose is a molecule made up of one glucose molecule and one fructose molecule. Sucrose is commonly made from sugar cane and sugar beets. To Dr Williams point - fructose can be purified form various fruits - apples contain a lot of it - but the cheapest way for the US - since we grow so much more corn - is to make it by the enzymatic digestion of corn starch. However one other factor is important - fructose tastes twice as sweet as either sucrose or glucose and therefor one can use a lot less of it and attain the same effect. It has also been...