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Justice Thomas is highly respected by legal scholars for adhering to an interpretation of the [[U.S. Constitution]] based on its original text, meaning and understanding, which has included limiting federal powers. His judicial doctrine finds no basis in the [[U.S. Constitution]] for abortion, [[Roe v. Wade]], homosexual rights, federal interference with state sovereignty, the [[Dormant Commerce Clause]] and constitutional limits on punitive damages. He has utilized and trained more conservative law clerks than any other Justice.  He has an unblemished record of service on the Court since 1991 and has never had to recuse himself from a case due to activity off the bench or investments.  

Justice Thomas is highly respected by legal scholars for adhering to an interpretation of the [[U.S. Constitution]] based on its original text, meaning and understanding, which has included limiting federal powers. His judicial doctrine finds no basis in the [[U.S. Constitution]] for abortion, [[Roe v. Wade]], homosexual rights, federal interference with state sovereignty, the [[Dormant Commerce Clause]] and constitutional limits on punitive damages. He has utilized and trained more conservative law clerks than any other Justice.  He has an unblemished record of service on the Court since 1991 and has never had to recuse himself from a case due to activity off the bench or investments.  

Justice Thomas is most often compared to Justice [[Antonin Scalia]], but they have significant differences.  For example, Justice Scalia typically rejects the use of legislative history more often than Justice Thomas does.  Justice Scalia also rejects the important line of cases establishing a constitutional right of parents to direct the upbringing of their children, while Justice Thomas does not.<ref>''See, e.g.'', [[Troxel v. Granville]] (2000).</ref>

 

 

Justice Thomas is most often compared to Justice [[Antonin Scalia]], as both support overturning ''[Roe v. Wade]''.  But these Justices have significant differences.  For example, Justice Scalia typically rejects the use of legislative history more often than Justice Thomas does.  Justice Scalia also rejects the important line of cases establishing a constitutional right of parents to direct the upbringing of their children, while Justice Thomas does not.<ref>''See, e.g.'', [[Troxel v. Granville]] (2000).</ref>

 

 

Justice Thomas tends to oppose government power more often than Justice Scalia does.  In a 5-4 decision written by Justice Thomas, from which Justice Scalia dissented, Justice Thomas held that the [[United States]] was wrong to seize $357,144 in cash from a traveler simply because he failed to report it as required by law.  Justice Thomas, writing for the Court, held that such a forfeiture "would violate the Excessive Fines Clause of the [[Eighth Amendment]] ... because full forfeiture of respondent's currency would be grossly disproportional to the gravity of his offense."<ref>''United States v. Bajakajian'', 524 U.S. 321, 324 (1998).</ref>

==Early life==

==Early life==