U.S. public health officials are moving full-speed ahead with their national campaign to promote and publicize the flu shot. They have now designated Dec. 8-14 as "National Influenza Vaccination Week" to "foster greater use of flu vaccine through the months of November, December and beyond."

Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings created quite a media event when she came to South Carolina on Oct. 28 to decry our latest national disgrace: The inability of public schools to graduate more students. Her remarks garnered front-page headlines in state newspapers, including the Oct. 29 Herald. The Herald editorial staff was so impressed, they dedicated a supportive editorial to the cause of dropout reduction on Nov. 7.

Prior to the elections, I had written a letter to the editor lamenting the fact that America lacks a candidate and a party that are focused on returning to the solid foundation laid by Godly men who displayed a wisdom lacking in our leaders of today. A rebuttal was written stating that the founding fathers were men of little faith, committed to the idea of the separation of church and state as stated in the First Amendment. I would like to address this issue with the historical facts.

The 2008 election will hold a special place in American history. As a conservative, I am extremely disappointed that America has shifted dramatically toward the left. However, I am the first to acknowledge the immense significance this election holds for the African-American community. I commend President-elect Barack Obama for his achievement, but to me, this election was not about race or gender, but about issues.

Thirty-five years ago, Saluda Street was in a better economic condition than it is today. It was a street that serviced the needs of the black community. There were grocery stores, convenience stores, clothing stores, diners and other social gathering places. Whatever the need, it was available within walking distance to the community. People had places to go and things to do after 10 p.m. Saluda Street represents a part of history for Rock Hill's black community.

I read with interest the recent letter from Leslie Foster-Hopkins in which she stated that she rejects both major candidates and would like the option of voting for "none of the above." Millions of Americans, including me, share her disillusion with the two-party system. Actually, as Ralph Nader has pointed out, it's a one-party system with a soft corporate branch (Democrats) and a hard corporate branch (Republicans). If you doubt that, take a hard look at the $1 trillion corporate bailout supported by leaders of both parties. If Foster-Hopkins wants a solid protest vote, I think Nader is her man. He's an American icon and a genuine progressive.

Average or better credit still qualifies most consumers for good to great interest rates on home mortgages and auto loans. The credit crisis "world is ending" hype might lead you not to apply for a home mortgage or auto loan. But credit is readily available at interest rates much lower than most people think. Even average credit scores still qualify for low home and car loans.

Angel was only a year old. On Oct. 1, he died and left his best friend, Joey, with a broken heart.

I read with interest the recent education-related articles and opinion page letters to the editor in my local newspaper. One headline that got my attention was the commentary titled "Dys wrong on PACT." Other articles and editorial letters followed on this subject. However, a big disappointment was the personal attacks against someone who questioned the PACT test and the new replacement test (PASS) being developed. This points out one of the biggest problems we have in our public education system.

I once worked with a colorful U.S. representative who in another life was "Cooter" from "The Dukes of Hazard" on TV. Ben Jones was king of the one-liner. When someone questioned his ability to hold high public office (he had never held any kind of public office before he ran for Congress), he replied: "When you are green you are growing; when you are ripe; you are rotten."