The only real grade Barack Obama can be given for his first 100 days is an "incomplete." He has been remarkably fast out of the blocks -- arguably getting off to the best start of any president since Franklin D. Roosevelt and the "original" 100 days -- but the presidency is a long-distance race, not a sprint. A good start is important, but the real tests are yet to come.

Will Congress step up to health-care reform? This week, an obscure conference committee meeting between a handful of members of the House and Senate may well decide the fate of President Obama's health-care reform. It's a decision that directly involves more than $1,000 in costs billed to you if you have insurance.

Samantha is a remarkably responsible young woman. She studied hard and gained admission to a good college. She earned her degree, graduated and got a good job in communications. Unlike many in her generation, she refused to take on any credit-card debt because her mother had drummed into her the importance of retaining a good credit rating. She pays her debts. And now she and her mother are on the verge of bankruptcy.

'As through this world I've wandered, I've seen lots of funny men; some will rob you with a six-gun. And some with a fountain pen."