Why is it I can go to any website except to check my email at cox.net, sure do pay a lot for crappy service.

You are not alone.  Cox has been struggling with webmail for almost one year.  They made 2 large changes (other forum users have more-detailed information about the changes).  Don't bother deleting your browsing history, clearing the cache, rebooting your computer.... the problem is not on your end.