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With American history, don't sweat the details

Re: "America's other deficit," Nov. 26 column:

Cal Thomas was his usual curmudgeon self when he excoriated the stupidity of young Americans, especially as exemplified by Harvard freshmen, who scored a D-plus on an American history test.

I question whether an objective test is the best means of ascertaining the knowledge of youngsters. A college freshman may not recall terms such as New Deal or WPA from the 1930s, but I'd be willing to bet that most Harvard freshmen know we had a stock market crash in 1929, a depression in the 1930s that President Roosevelt confronted but failed to tame, and a World War II in the 1940s that finally conquered our Depression.

It is crucial for youngsters to visualize the big picture first. They'll add details as they age -- at least, intelligent students will.

An upbeat GOP is merely a delusion

The recent commentary by Ed Lynch comparing the 2008 and 1976 presidential elections struck me as bizarre and a bit delusional ("Parallels to 1976," Nov. 25). Perhaps Lynch is still suffering from post-election depression.

For example, Barack Obama's electoral landslide is "misleading" because the popular vote was less lopsided. Only someone from the losing party would make such a characterization, like a kid who gets spanked and then insists it "didn't hurt a bit."

The full extent of Lynch's blind-eyed failure to "get it" is revealed in his reference to overcoming historical hurdles, "with Obama surmounting the race barrier much as Carter ended the cultural bias against electing a Southerner as president." Holy cow! Count up the presidents from Southern states, then count up the African-American presidents.

Obama's coattails were "surprisingly short," in the delusions of Lynch, but not to all his fellow Republicans who were dumped by voters. Lynch imagines the liberal media "making excuses" for President-elect Obama, and the Democratic Congress turning against him. Lynch sees a divided and worried majority party and a confident Republican minority.

Such are the delusions one might expect from a Fox News commentator, not a Hollins University professor of political science.

Recall blessings, and you'll rest easy

While drinking a cold Dr Pepper, I recently heard a great talent on "The Lawrence Welk Show" sing: "If you're worried and cannot sleep, count your blessings instead of sheep, and you will fall asleep."

Count your blessings.

Real U.S. cars keep dollars here

I am tired of people always saying that most foreign cars are made in America and why not buy them. True, they are put together in America. Most of the major parts are made out of this country and shipped in with a really low import tax.

Most of the factories are sitting on donated land or land sold really cheap by the state. Most of the companies pay little or no property taxes, plus other taxes are waived for a long period of time. Bottom line is these companies open the plants a lot cheaper here than in their own country. Plus every single penny of profits goes back home.

If Ford or Chevy makes a car in Canada, the profits come back to the U.S.

Buy real American cars and keep our money here in the U.S.

Banks should pass only legal tender

I am outraged that a bank can give you a fake bill and it's your responsibility to check it. Also, why are there holds on legitimate checks, such as the ones from an insurance company, when they will take money from your account immediately?

Drivers wouldn't let ambulance pass

My friend and I were returning home from visiting family. We were on Interstate 81 south traveling in the right lane, doing the speed limit. If I'd been driving, we'd have been going a bit faster, but she goes the speed limit. In the left lane behind us was an ambulance with lights flashing. I was appalled at the lack of movement by the cars in front of it. They lollygagged along while the ambulance just kept trying to get through.

What has changed that people no longer move over? What if they or their family member were in that vehicle with a life-and-death situation? Do they not understand time is of the essence?

My friend informed me there was plenty of room behind us to move over while they passed. I just don't get it.