I feel like I should clarify what I think the Thomas Sowell quote that I posted means.  I felt that the quote was quite clearly sarcastic, but judging by the comments I received I guess that isn't true.

Here is my take on what that quote means:

Obviously there is little, if any, discrimination against white people in this country, and I don't believe Thomas Sowell thinks there is either. I believe the point of his statement is to refute the argument that our "system" discriminates against minorities.  Many people look at the census data, see that blacks and Hispanics make less than whites, and immediately jump to the conclusion that this is due to discrimination.  Sowell (who, if it matters, is black himself) is pointing out that if that logic is used, then there is discrimination against whites and the system must be biased towards Asians.

Personally, I believe that there are reasons for increased earning power that far surpass any discriminatory bias.  These include education, work ethic and family structure prevalent in each culture.  As a white person, I don't look at the census data and see discrimination; I look at the data and think, "What do Asians do that raises their earning power, and how can I emulate it?"  In doing this, I realize that typically Asians instill an appreciation for education in their children, they have a strong work ethic, and they have an entrepreneurial spirit.  In a free, capitalist society these traits enable anyone, of any race, to raise themselves up to a higher standard of living.

"The possibility of failure is as important to capitalist enterprise as the opportunity to succeed."

-George Gilder

"The latest Census data (P60-221, for you skeptics) shows that in 2002 the average white household had an income of just under $47,000, while the average Asian American household had an income of just over $52,600. Does that prove discrimination against whites?"

-Thomas Sowell

Well, apparently I was right on about there being many bitter conservatives in Pennsylvania.  The local paper today ran a story documenting how substantial portions of Toomey supporters are vowing to vote for Hoeffel (the democrat) or a conservative third party rather than Specter.  Furthermore, some are going as far as to end their support of Bush for placing politics over true moral values. 

I share their frustration towards Bush and Santorum, but at the same time, I realize that the stakes in the upcoming November election are simply too high to hold back my vote due to these relatively petty things.  Our national security is at stake, and that has to trump other concerns. However, I really hope the message that's being sent here gets to Bush; the true conservatives are the ones who give their money and time towards his re-election campaign because they firmly believe in their values, and these people do not appreciate when Bush campaigns for someone who views those values with contempt. 

Well, the people of Pennsylvania spoke, and they said that they wanted Arlen Specter to serve another term.  I'm disappointed, but it's not the end of the world.  On the bright side, a strong message was sent by this close race. It was a message to every moderate in the country, and it was a message to every Republican party leader. 

 The message is:  There is a significant group of people who truly believe in, and live by, conservative ideas, and this group longs to have leaders who aren't afraid to voice these ideas to the fullest extent. 

Also on the bright side, I was following the race closely as the results slowly trickled in.  At first, with about 30% of the precincts reporting, Toomey was down 6%. Then as more precincts reported, the gap slowly closed. Around 75% the race became a 50/50 toss-up.  It was at that point that I had to laugh as I imagined Arlen Specter sitting in a room with his advisors, watching the same results that I was, desperately wiping sweat off his face as his career flashed before his eyes. 

It's also very safe to say that if President Bush had not supported Specter, thsi primary race would have been easily won by Toomey.  What does this mean? I'm really not too sure, but I do know that today there are many bitter conservatives in Pennsylvania.