Cal Thomas
Columns by Cal Thomas
American prisons are overcrowded, cost too much and confine many who should not be in jail
It didn't seem to fit in President Trump's State of the Union address, perhaps something tossed in at the last minute, like a garnish. But there it was: "As America regains its strength, opportunity must be extended to all citizens. That is why this year we will embark on reforming our prisons, to help former inmates who have served their time get a second chance at life." Published February 7, 2018
The memo and the truth
Partisans tend to read, watch and listen only, or mostly, to information and opinions that reinforce their beliefs. If information surfaces that counters those beliefs, it is usually disparaged, excused or ignored. That's human nature. Published February 5, 2018
The state of President Trump
President Trump's first State of the Union address set a new standard. For himself. If he lives up to that standard in future speeches, he may go far in changing his image from a blustering, ad-libbing "entertainer," to someone who looks and sounds, shall I say it, more "presidential." Published January 31, 2018
Conservative Trump critics would do well to stay focused on the issues
"Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God." Published January 29, 2018
How high taxes produce a moving experience
One reason Democrats seem so fixated on importing illegal immigrants and allowing their children to stay and become citizens may be the exodus from high-tax and traditionally Democratic states. Published January 24, 2018
Blame ‘we the people’ for the shutdown
If we don't like what is happening in Washington — and few do — the blame must be placed squarely where it belongs. It is "we the people" who send these people here. Published January 22, 2018
The Democrats are working from Al Capone’s playbook
"You can get a lot farther with a smile and a gun than you can with just a smile." Published January 17, 2018
If Beijing pulls back its underwriting of American debt, U.S. politicians might be persuaded to curb
Is China about to do the United States a big favor, however unwittingly? Published January 15, 2018
Why Trump’s accusers are ‘mad’
"Everybody's got to believe in something. I believe I'll have another beer." Published January 8, 2018
Bret Stephens, New York Times columnist, uncloaked
I do not make it a practice to comment on the work of fellow columnists, though occasionally some care to comment on mine, which is fine. I'm happy to help them make a living. An exception will be made here because of The New York Times "conservative" columnist, Bret Stephens. Published January 3, 2018
Why everyone must stop treating political opposites as a burdensome mother-in-law
DUBLIN, Ireland — "Try a Little Tenderness" is a song written by Jimmy Campbell, Reg Connelly and Harry M. Woods. According to Wikipedia, it was first recorded on Dec. 8, 1932, by the Ray Noble Orchestra (with vocals by Val Rosing). Probably these names are as unfamiliar to us today as the demonstration of tenderness is in our modern political culture. Published January 1, 2018
Britain, America embrace secularism
The U.K. Daily Mail has again published a story about a subject that has become a recurring theme this time of year. No, not Christmas, but rather drunkenness, though the holiday is used as its primary excuse. Published December 27, 2017
The Heritage Foundation’s new president is a black woman and a conservative
Hillary Clinton was supposed to break the glass ceiling, which she said has kept a woman from becoming president, but the Heritage Foundation, a conservative public policy think tank based in Washington, D.C., has actually done it. Published December 25, 2017
The ultimate Christmas gift
Unless you are spending this time of year at a spiritual retreat cut off from TV, newspapers or internet service you cannot escape the blaring music and the marketers attempting to sell you something they promise will bring you happiness and peace. Published December 20, 2017
A government ‘refund’
So, a Republican majority Congress has "reformed" the tax code for the first time in 31 years, allowing us to keep a little more of the money we earn. Woohoo! Published December 18, 2017
Donald Trump actually accomplishing his goals
Side issues — some of them created by the president himself — have obscured the accomplishments of the Donald Trump administration during his first year in office. Published December 13, 2017
It’s shortsighted to choose temporal power
In September 1862, a group of Chicago ministers sent a "memorial" (or long letter) to President Abraham Lincoln in which they made a theological argument for the elimination of slavery. Published December 11, 2017
There will be no Middle East peace until hatred of Jews ends
President Trump's son-in-law and designated Middle East peace envoy, Jared Kushner, told the Brookings Institution's Saban Forum last weekend that a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians is key to solving larger goals, such as stopping Iranian aggression and Islamic extremism. Published December 6, 2017
Tax reform is just the first step in rolling back the nanny state
One way to kill a predatory animal is to deny it sustenance. The tax-cut bill passed by the Senate, if it clears a conference with the House and President Trump signs it, may be the first step toward starving the big-government beast. Published December 4, 2017
The value of high moral standards has never been more apparent
Rarely has the idiom "virtue is its own reward" looked better than it does in light of the sex scandals sweeping the nation. The so-called "prudishness," of a previous generation and the respect most men were once taught to have for women — and which Hugh Hefner and his disciples of "free love" mocked — are looking better with each passing day. Published November 29, 2017
