Cal Thomas
Columns by Cal Thomas
North Korean threats not affecting Donald Trump
North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un appears to have blinked and President Trump can claim a foreign policy victory and justification for his strategy. Published August 16, 2017
Tragedy in Charlottesville
Rejection of ethnic, national or racial hatred should unite all Americans Published August 15, 2017
Charlottesville tragedy should unite all Americans
In the South during the Jim Crow era, the "one-drop rule," codified into law, asserted that if a person had just one drop of African-American blood, they were considered "black." I wonder what we'd learn if we gave former KKK leader David Duke and the "white nationalists" who caused havoc in Charlottesville last Saturday a DNA test to determine their racial makeup? Published August 14, 2017
Sanctuary cities are not the same as hideouts
In biblical times, a sanctuary city was a place where someone who had committed unintentional manslaughter could find refuge from "the avenger of blood." If the offender left the sanctuary city, he could be set upon by a relative of the dead person and killed. No sanctuary was available to anyone who committed murder with malice aforethought. Published August 9, 2017
Immigration bill will reward those ready to contribute
Sometimes what used to be called "common sense" can seem radical in Washington, which is used to practicing senseless policies and funding programs that don't work. Published August 7, 2017
U.S. missile defense system would deter enemies
One month after the election, President-elect Donald Trump made a "victory tour" of states that had helped deliver his surprise win. Published August 2, 2017
Donald Trump must lead by example
The Establishment, a construct of Democrats and Republicans that rules in Washington no matter which party controls government, appears to be over its fainting spell following Donald Trump's election. It is now throwing everything at him from a daily -- make that hourly, even minute by minute -- onslaught of investigations to big media's equivalent of Molotov cocktails. Published July 31, 2017
Democrats’ ‘better deal’ will make things worse for America
Theodore Roosevelt offered Americans a "Square Deal." His fifth cousin, Franklin D. Roosevelt, gave us "The New Deal." Modern Democrats, who have lost election after election, are now offering the country "A Better Deal." Published July 26, 2017
Social Security can be saved by Trust Fund for America
It is no secret that what the major media seem to care most about is radically different from what concerns average Americans. While the inside-the-Beltway crowd continues to focus on alleged collusion between President Trump and Russia, real concerns like the future of Social Security are ignored. Published July 24, 2017
‘Pig Book’ puts spotlight on Congress earmarks
Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW), a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization working to eliminate governmental waste and fraud, just released its "2017 Congressional Pig Book," an annual publication highlighting wasteful government spending that should embarrass each and every member of Congress. Published July 19, 2017
Ronald Reagan interview shows little has changed in tax battle
While scanning YouTube videos, I came across an appearance by Ronald Reagan on "The Tonight Show," hosted by Johnny Carson. The year was 1975 and Mr. Reagan was "between jobs," having left office as governor of California, where he served for eight years, but not yet president. He would challenge Gerald Ford for the Republican nomination in 1976, barely losing at the nominating convention, but setting himself up for what would be a successful run in 1980. Published July 17, 2017
Life-or-death decisions should not be left to government
Anyone looking for another reason not to leave life-and-death issues to the state need look no further than the conflict between the British government and the parents of 11-month-old Charlie Gard. Published July 12, 2017
Making America great again requires foundation in Western values
In 1987 when he was contemplating a run for president, Vice President George H.W. Bush was criticized for his inability to articulate an agenda for the country. A friend suggested he spend a weekend alone at Camp David to figure out where he would take the nation. Published July 10, 2017
Calvin Coolidge model shows bipartisan respect is possible
When was the last time you heard a member of one political party praise a member of the other party? Published July 5, 2017
Donald Trump personal attacks achieve nothing
President Trump once referred to the health care bill passed by the House as "mean." So how should we characterize his remarks about MSNBC "Morning Joe" co-host Mika Brzezinski? The president of the United States, reacting to her criticism of him, claimed Ms. Brzezinski was "bleeding" from a face-lift when he saw her last New Year's Eve at his Florida resort. He further described her as being "dumb as a rock." That's worse than mean. It's cruel. Published July 3, 2017
Donald Trump winning at Supreme Court
The Supreme Court's decision to allow portions of President Trump's travel ban to proceed is a much-needed victory for the administration. The high court ruled that those "who lack any bona fide relationship with a person or entity in the United States" could be denied entry into the U.S. The ban targets those from six majority-Muslim countries, halting entry until "extreme vetting" can be conducted. Published June 28, 2017
Obamacare repeal effort shows old program is wasteful
Is there anyone who can point to the "Affordable Care Act" (aka Obamacare) and credibly claim it is accomplishing the goals set for it seven years ago? Published June 26, 2017
Puerto Rico statehood may buoy island’s fortunes
The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico is drowning. The island, so popular with tourists, is $123 billion in debt. That's more debt than the $18 billion bankruptcy filed by the city of Detroit in 2013. In May, San Juan declared a form of bankruptcy after creditors filed lawsuits demanding their money. A federal district judge appointed by Chief Justice John Roberts will handle the case. Published June 21, 2017
Donald Trump facing outrageous amounts of leftist rage
That didn't take long. Less than 48 hours after the shooting rampage targeting Republican members of Congress and their staff on a baseball field in Alexandria, Va., followed by the picture of Republicans and Democrats kneeling in prayer at Nationals Park before their annual charity game, things returned to normal or abnormal. Published June 19, 2017
Liberal clergy often feel left out
The religious left feels left out. According to an article in The New York Times, liberal clergy feel excluded from the political arena and blame the religious right for occupying what they once believed was their exclusive territory. They are, according to the story's headline, "seeking to break right's grip on nation's moral agenda." Published June 14, 2017
