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The Things That Matter Most
The conservative newspaper columnist locates the sources of contemporary social problems in the libertinism and atheism of the 1960s, and makes a case for returning to traditional beliefs in God, family, and country. 150,000 first printing. $150,000 ad/promo.
219 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 1994
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
March 31, 2026
This book was published in 1994, so you might think it is dated. Well, yes and no. It's dated in the preponderance of references to cultural and political life in the early 1990s, but it is definitely not dated in the observations and conclusions that Thomas makes. In terms of the misguided liberal thinking that had its roots in the turbulent 1960s, the effects have only grown more pervasive.
The mantra of the 60s was "don't trust anyone over 30", and as Thomas points out that generation that had learned not to trust was now running the country. "The sixties saw no revolt of the oppressed, as some expected. It was a revolt of middle-class kids who got expensive educations." And what promises did they make?
The promise of liberation from the traditional family: no-fault divorce, single-parent families, parents letting children do whatever they want. The promise of unrestrained expression: everything is tolerated, especially obscenity but definitely not any strongly held religious views. The promise of pharmaceutical enlightenment: turn on, tune in, drop out, in the words of Timothy Leary, and now we have "the most drug-overdosed generation in history." The promise of sexual freedom: if it feels good, do it, leading to increases in abortions and in children born to unmarried women, rampant pornography, and sexual molestation. The promise of God's death (Time, April 8, 1966): leading to the death of any absolutes. The promise to end poverty (obviously that hasn't worked out well at all). And perhaps most pervasive and unquestioned of all: the promise that bigger government will do it all for you, which means that government will continue to grow and grow and take more and more resources and be less and less accountable to the voters and taxpayers who subsidize it. Thomas cites one example. In 1946, 14,700,000 people worked in manufacturing in this country, and 5,595,000 in government. In 1994, 18,192,000 worked in manufacturing, but 18,578,000 worked in government.
The title of one short chapter was especially prescient: "Socialism is Alive and Well and Coming to America". And now it's here.
A very interesting read; a perspective from 30 years ago on where we are today.
The mantra of the 60s was "don't trust anyone over 30", and as Thomas points out that generation that had learned not to trust was now running the country. "The sixties saw no revolt of the oppressed, as some expected. It was a revolt of middle-class kids who got expensive educations." And what promises did they make?
The promise of liberation from the traditional family: no-fault divorce, single-parent families, parents letting children do whatever they want. The promise of unrestrained expression: everything is tolerated, especially obscenity but definitely not any strongly held religious views. The promise of pharmaceutical enlightenment: turn on, tune in, drop out, in the words of Timothy Leary, and now we have "the most drug-overdosed generation in history." The promise of sexual freedom: if it feels good, do it, leading to increases in abortions and in children born to unmarried women, rampant pornography, and sexual molestation. The promise of God's death (Time, April 8, 1966): leading to the death of any absolutes. The promise to end poverty (obviously that hasn't worked out well at all). And perhaps most pervasive and unquestioned of all: the promise that bigger government will do it all for you, which means that government will continue to grow and grow and take more and more resources and be less and less accountable to the voters and taxpayers who subsidize it. Thomas cites one example. In 1946, 14,700,000 people worked in manufacturing in this country, and 5,595,000 in government. In 1994, 18,192,000 worked in manufacturing, but 18,578,000 worked in government.
The title of one short chapter was especially prescient: "Socialism is Alive and Well and Coming to America". And now it's here.
A very interesting read; a perspective from 30 years ago on where we are today.
June 7, 2016
I suppose I should know who Cal Thomas is, but this was a find for me. Came across it on the library sale table and am so thankful. Cal Thomas, a voice of common sense, history, clear evaluation, and wise prediction. Read it.
Only wish I'd found this sooner. The timeframe is the 90's, so it may seem a little dated; but really, you can see how everything discussed here has continued to play out. Rather than dismiss it, we ought to learn from what has transpired.
Only wish I'd found this sooner. The timeframe is the 90's, so it may seem a little dated; but really, you can see how everything discussed here has continued to play out. Rather than dismiss it, we ought to learn from what has transpired.
May 27, 2012
I am sorry that I took so long to get through this book. It did get off to a slow start,and that is why I set it aside for a while, but as I began reading it again I found it a great affirmation of solid conservative values and a learned insight into our American culture.
August 20, 2009
A bit dated, but the more things change, the more they stay the same ...
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews