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Cal Thomas

Cal Thomas

Cal Thomas is one of the most widely syndicated political columnists in America. Based in Washington, he is a wide-ranging social commentator, not a "beltway insider," who supports traditional conservative values and the American "can-do spirit." He'll take on virtually any topic, from the decline of the family to growing terrorism worldwide.

A syndicated columnist since 1984, he is the author of “America’s Expiration Date: The Fall of Empires, Superpowers and the United States” (HarperCollins/Zondervan, January 2020). His latest book is “A Watchman in the Night: What I’ve Seen in 50 Years Reporting on America” (Humanix Books, May 2023). Readers may email Mr. Thomas at tcaeditors@tribune.com.

Columns by Cal Thomas

THOMAS: The age of corporate greed

In an age when "big business" and "corporate greed" seem to be synonymous in the public mind, some bright lights occasionally emerge from the darkness brought on by AIG big spenders and over-the-top high-livers. Published November 19, 2008

THOMAS: Presidential school choice

President-elect Obama and his wife Michelle came to town and did what people with young children usually do before moving. They looked at their new house and then Mrs. Obama checked out the school choices for their two young daughters. Published November 14, 2008

THOMAS: Washington’s fiscal breakdown

Remember when Democrats lamented the growing budget deficit and spoke of the burden our children and grandchildren would face if we didn't put our fiscal house in order? That was when Republicans ran the federal government and Democrats opposed tax cuts. Published November 12, 2008

THOMAS: Religious right requiem

When Barack Obama takes the oath of office on Jan. 20, 2009, he will do so in the 30th anniversary year of the founding of the so-called religious right. Born in 1979 and midwifed by the late Rev. Jerry Falwell, the religious right was a reincarnation of previous religious-social movements that sought moral improvement through legislation and court rulings. Those earlier movements - from abolition (successful) to Prohibition (unsuccessful) - had mixed results. Published November 7, 2008

THOMAS: Media meltdown

More than the economy has melted down. What remains of big media credibility has also liquefied and won't recover anytime soon, if it ever does. Published November 5, 2008

THOMAS: Obama’s smoking audio

The October surprise may turn out to be a seven-year-old interview with Barack Obama in which he strongly suggests that the U.S. Constitution is an impediment to his desire to redistribute the nation's wealth. How does Mr. Obama credibly take the oath of office to "preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States" when he thinks it impedes his socialist agenda? Published October 31, 2008

THOMAS: Alan Greenspan: Never mind

Fans of the original cast of "Saturday Night Live," will recall Emily Litella, a character played by the late Gilda Radner on the "Weekend Update" segment, hosted by Chevy Chase. Published October 29, 2008

THOMAS: Joe Biden’s gift

Just like that, Democratic vice-presidential candidate Joe Biden has given voters the single reason why they should not elect Barack Obama president of the United States. Published October 24, 2008

THOMAS: Government can’t do it all

People who put faith in government to solve national or even individual problems are headed for deep disappointment, if it hasn't already arrived. Still, that doesn't stop politicians from attempting to sell political snake oil to the gullible. No one ever lost money betting on the ignorance of the uninformed masses. Published October 22, 2008

THOMAS: Blaming Israel, again

Just as the Obama campaign seemed to be making progress in tamping down rumors about his alleged Muslim background and that he might be a "Manchurian candidate" for the Arab-Islamic world, up steps the Rev. Jesse Jackson to upset the falafel cart. Published October 17, 2008

THOMAS: End of ‘We the People’

Anyone desiring a preview of what the federal judiciary would look like under a Barack Obama adminis- Published October 15, 2008

THOMAS: Round Two: Zzzzzzzzz

The audience at the second presidential debate/town hall meeting was, supposedly, made up of "undecided" voters. Anyone who is undecided less than a month before the election hasn't been paying attention and ought to be disqualified from voting at all. The questions were terrible, the answers worse. Published October 10, 2008

THOMAS: Catholics divided over abortion (again)

In recent elections when a high-profile Roman Catholic Democrat seeks high, or higher office, the issue of abortion surfaces. As the pro-choice, non-Catholic Barack Obama makes a play for evangelical voters, conservative Catholics are asking their fellow believers to take seriously the church's teaching on abortion and not cast their vote for Mr. Obama and Catholic Joe Biden. Published October 8, 2008

THOMAS: The blame game

When Speaker Nancy Pelosi took to the floor of the House on Monday to blame Republicans for the financial turmoil and charge them with a laissez-faire attitude toward regulation, it seemed like a calculated effort to shift attention and accountability from what Democrats have done to create the current conditions. Fortunately, we have YouTube so Democrats can run from their records, but they can't hide. Published October 3, 2008

THOMAS: Pulpit bullies

There is no telling how many churches actually participated in "Pulpit Freedom Sunday," an event designed to challenge the government's restriction on political pronouncements from the pulpit. Published October 1, 2008

THOMAS: Judgment Day

It isn't often that public outrage peaks so close to an election, but this is a rare moment in history when "we the people" can exact a price from the political leadership that has duped, scammed and lied to them, contributing mightily to the current financial mess. Published September 26, 2008

THOMAS: McCain, Obama debate

When Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain meet Friday in Oxford, Miss., for the first of their three scheduled debates, the TV and radio audience is likely to set a record for such an event. Published September 24, 2008

THOMAS: Lessons from the Puritans

The financial "crisis" on Wall Street has provided another teachable moment. It turns out that greed is not good after all. Published September 19, 2008

THOMAS: Generation gaps

You are young enough to be John McCain's daughter. Twenty-eight years separate you. Will you be able to walk into the Oval Office and say, "Mr. President, you are wrong about this and here is what you should do instead"? Published September 17, 2008

THOMAS: Rx for revitalization

Some political pundits have said if it were not for his last name, he might have been the Republican nominee for president this year. But former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush tells me he is happy to support the McCain-Palin ticket, which he predicts, perhaps predictably, will win. Published September 12, 2008