The Case For American Exceptionalism

I would like to take this time to post the reasoning for the USA's exceptionalism. Certainly in our very short life as a nation we have experienced periods of repression and hatred, slavery and the Native American genocide come to mind, but as a whole the U.S. is the most exceptional nation currently on the planet, perhaps even in history. Let me epostulate and make my point.

The U.S. is the melting pot of the world. It is the one destination that the poor and downtrodden of the world desire to live. There are all creeds, colors and religions welcome to our shores. All are given the same opportunity. There is no place on Earth that is its' equal in that regard. The U.S. IS the land of opportunity.

There are few places on Earth that are as diverse in religious makeup. True we were founded on Christian doctrine, but we are guaranteed the right to worship as we see fit. Our nation was founded so that there would be no state sponsored religion. There is not a national religion in the U.S. We can freely choose to worship or not worship as we see fit. We can express our beliefs as we see fit without worry of repercussion.

Womens' rights are the norm here. Look around the world and you will find few places where women are held in such high regard. Here women have all the rights and opportunities as men.

Our political system is of the people, by the people, for the people. This is something that many here take for granted. We are not allowed rights, they are bestowed on us from the Creator. That means that our rights cannot be taken away UNLESS WE CONSENT. We are the only nation on earth like this. The people have the full power to change those in power. We have the full power to change the laws.[however we seldom use it] All other countries have rights granted to them from their government.

Our military is the strongest on the planet. Yet we do not rule by force. We liberate countries and then help to rebuild their infrastructure. i.e. Japan, Germany. Yes we have overthrown some regimes and helped to change others but we do not rule over any country we have occupied. Including Afghanistan and Iraq.

We are the richest nation on the planet and willingly give to help other nations in need, including those that openly stand against us. No other nation gives so much and asks for so little in return.

We have no caste or class. All are afforded the same rights and opportunities. As noted previously, all are granted these rights including those from foreign shores that wish to become citizens of this country.

Our nation stands as the leader in technology, medicine and innovation. There is no other country that has produced and expanded the welfare of the world as the U. S. From A.C.current to the telephone we have been in the forefront of growth.

There are other reasons that can and should be listed as to why the U.S. is exceptional. I ask hat the fine readers here post there favorite reasons and beliefs as to why we are the #1 nation in the world today.

I am also equally aware that there are others here that might find this post ludicrous. Without a doubt anyone can come up with an exception to any of these reasons. There are many. But as a nation we have progressed beyond any other nation in current existence. There is no other nation on earth that is so loved and hated as are we. there is no other nation on earth that is as emulated. There is no other nation on earth that is as free. There is no other nation on earth that has brought freedom and opportunity to so many.

respectfully

reluctantpawn

I'm delighted to see your post. Thank you for not following the lead of our president who said we are exceptional just as Belgium is exceptional.

The thesis in your post should not even be up for debate, some of the evidence, maybe, but American exceptionalism is far better established than many "scientific" theories floating about today.

I originally thought you would get many squeals of anger, but perhaps the squealers will know better than to expose themselves.

reply to post by charles1952


Thank you for your reply. Another truly great thing about our nation is that we are larger than our leader and are capable of overcoming so much that has been placed on us by those leaders.

RP

First of all as a German living in the UK, I have a few points to add. In most of Europe women are equal to men and have the same rights, it is not an American exclusive. Also I take immense offence at the old chestnut 'Americans helped Germans to rebuild their country'. No you did no such thing, it was the Germans and their spirit that rebuild our country, whilst the Americans used us to install their military there after dividing us and sharing the loot with the Russians. Our hands and our will to rebuild got us back on track, no Americans involved. This is a myth that needs telling, otherwise you may think that you are greater than you actually are.
Also I laughed at the 'we have weapons/military but use it to free others'. You must be joking...big time. America is not fighting wars to help others, it always has an agenda. Otherwise, why wouldn't you lot help people in North Korea or in Zimbabwe? Is it because you don't care about them or is it that there is nothing in it for you?
America believes itself to e the 'Police' of the world, a title that nobody voted for. All I see is America going to war with whomever they believe will be in the way of your dream of ruling Earth.
Wake up and educate yourself and don't believe blindly the [false] propaganda emenating from your government.
BTW, when I say America, I mean your government[s] and not the people who I believe are just like everyone else.
Also may I point out that the beautiful melting pot of religions and people from all over the world doesn't hold true either. I mean look at 9/11 and all the racism that is going on in your country. On paper it looks good but the reality is nothing like it.
Take your rose coloured glasses off and try again. Without insulting other countries [I am still p***ed off].

reply to post by reluctantpawn


I like American pornography It's exceptional.

reply to post by reluctantpawn


Ugghhh...really? Don't you think this type of mentality is getting a little outdated by now? Let me make a case for why America is no longer 'exceptional'.

The U.S. is the melting pot of the world. It is the one destination that the poor and downtrodden of the world desire to live. There are all creeds, colors and religions welcome to our shores. All are given the same opportunity. There is no place on Earth that is its' equal in that regard. The U.S. IS the land of opportunity.

The land of opportunity? So how come the banks just got secretly bailed out with trillions of dollars? Why were the banks allowed to enforce mortgages they couldn't even prove? How come people are starting to 'occupy' places around the country in protest of the financial scheming and government corruption? Why are the unemployment rates becoming so high? Why does it cost so much for students to get an education only to find it's nearly impossible to find work? In fact, why are the literacy and numeracy rates so low compared to other countries? Why can't young children start a lemonade stand without being harassed by the police? Why does nearly everything require licensing, taxation and regulation by the Government? Where are the opportunities when this sort of suppression exists?

There are few places on Earth that are as diverse in religious makeup. True we were founded on Christian doctrine, but we are guaranteed the right to worship as we see fit. Our nation was founded so that there would be no state sponsored religion. There is not a national religion in the U.S. We can freely choose to worship or not worship as we see fit. We can express our beliefs as we see fit without worry of repercussion.

Wow, the US Government is absolutely entwined with Christianity. Even your 'FED issued' debt based currency has "In God we trust" written on it. I can't even keep track of the amount of 'political madness' threads related to insane religiously based nonsense. Some politicians depend on the their religious beliefs to attract support, that's how many people depend on Christianity. Try visiting a place like the UK or Australia, and you will find that we're not only more religiously diverse, but also more ethnically diverse, and the role religion plays in politics isn't anywhere near as extreme as it is in the US. Of course some countries and their Government are a lot more dedicated to upholding their religious ideologies, but the US is FAR from perfect.

Womens' rights are the norm here. Look around the world and you will find few places where women are held in such high regard. Here women have all the rights and opportunities as men.

Have you even left America in your entire life? Because I'm willing to bet you haven't. Your attitude is typical of someone who believes America is 'the best country in the world', and it's supported by completely baseless propaganda that you've been indoctrinated with as a child. Once again, I could list an endless amount of countries that have exceptional women's rights. In fact some of them even gave women the right to vote long before the United States ever decided to. It's more likely these days that a country will have decent rights for women, and it's rarer to find a country that still hold ideologies from the dark ages. Obviously there are some countries like that, but your argument is diluting the facts to make it look like the US way ahead of the curve, when that's most certainly not true.

Our political system is of the people, by the people, for the people. This is something that many here take for granted. We are not allowed rights, they are bestowed on us from the Creator.

Why are you now talking about the political system with 'the creator' in the same sentence? Haha, this is golden. I'll make this my last point, I need not go on too much further. The US political system is so heavily corrupt and manipulated that it makes me want to vomit. The congress are constantly passing unconstitutional bills that are on the verge of insanity, and no one seems to bat an eye lid. It's the slowly boiling frog. Your 'God given rights' and freedoms are being slowly stripped away, while everyone sits back and lets it happen. In fact many people even delude themselves into believing they are still living in the most exceptional country on Earth. Do you know how insane that sounds? If your political system is so grand, why do I always see puppets running for President? And why are the only good Presidents always being assassinated?

Just think about what I've said.

In some ways I do believe that America is exceptional.....the only thing we are exceptional in now is our hypocrisy and the failure of our citizenry as a whole to understand how badly we are being screwed over.

We WERE exceptional in many ways. I do have a problem with your feeling that we are "nation builders". This is a blatant falsehood. We are nation manipulators, and we manipulate governments to be favorable for American corporate interests. We are the only nation who sells itself out while strutting and posturing in other countries overseas that we either bombed into submission or arranged violent civil wars in order to achieve our nefarious ends. Every single coup that has occurred in the past 60 years has our fingerprints all over it. We have become a nation of buffoons, hypocrites and dummies. This is how the rest of the world sees us, and all the patriotic flag-waving and bible-thumping done by those who refuse to see things are they really are will not change this fact.

The end does not always justify the means and we have completely forgotten this basic tenet of human existence.

What has always been exceptional about America are the people within it, but we are now corralled, harassed, confused, beaten down, and fed blatant lies and told they are solemn truths.

I was born here, and I will die here. I am an American, as are you. I would love nothing more than to see us return to the roots of our beloved republic, but as long as the Stars and Stripes is blaring from every outlet, and Americans wrapping themselves in the tattered flag screaming "love it or leave it", this can never happen.

I love this country, but we desperately need an intervention. The truth hurts. It's called tough love, and right now, we need a bunch of it.

I agree that American Exceptionalism is real. I don't agree with everything in your post, however.

Your concept of our foreign policy is a bit dated, in my opinion. Since WWII, we've been intervening in areas where we have no business to. Mostly to support corporate/banking interests.

Poor fiscal policy by both parties has undermined any hope for a "classless society". Although that never really existed anyway and I'm not sure I'd want it to. There are no official titles of nobility, and the ruling class is fluid... but it exists.

I do agree that Americans have consented to become slaves in their own country out of fear and laziness. Our system is fully capable of changing just about everything that people complain about. We just don't because we've become dependents who demand things but don't want to pay for it. It is the fault of the American citizenry that it has gotten this way. As of right now, we still have the power to change things using the tools given us by the Founders. We choose not to (And i'm not talking about having whining fits in the streets).

But the heart of your message is true. This is an exceptional country. One that is unique in human history. We still have a small window to save it before it becomes just another tyrannical, declining empire.

reply to post by reluctantpawn


We Are Not Special, and There Is No Happy Ending: The Blood-Drenched Darkness of American Exceptionalism

The foundation of America's murderous prescription for large parts of the rest of the world remains as I have identified it:

In the most extreme (and, one could argue, most consistent) version of this [exceptionalist] tale, non-Western parts of the world are less than human -- and they are subhuman by choice. They are immoral, and sometimes even evil. Since we represent the good and they represent the evil, we are surely entitled to improve them, by invasion and bombing if necessary. If they do not threaten us today, they might at some indeterminate time in the future. And while we might kill many innocent civilians in our campaign of civilization, those who survive will be infinitely better off than they would have been otherwise. Besides, how "innocent" can any of them be -- since they are members of inferior, less than fully human civilizations, and since they are so by choice?

With this belief system as the unchallengeable foundation, a vast number of Americans render themselves completely unable to recognize the devastating consequences of the American State's actions abroad. Whenever those consequences threaten to announce themselves in an unavoidable manner, most Americans will explicitly deny or avoid them through an endless variety of stratagems. When all else fails, their ultimate defense will be the cloaked restatement of the myth's message: the lives of those other people are simply not of the same value as our own. Such recognition must be disguised to a degree, for an explicit statement to that effect would shock certain sensibilities (or certain people would at least pretend to be shocked). But -- and this is the critical point -- when we consider the relevant facts, the continuing refusal to acknowledge what the American State has done and still does today can have no other meaning.

If you have ever wondered how a serial murderer -- a murderer who is sane and fully aware of the acts he has committed -- can remain steadfastly convinced of his own moral superiority and show not even the slightest glimmer of remorse, you should not wonder any longer.

The United States government is such a murderer. It conducts its murders in full view of the entire world. It even boasts of them. Our government, and all our leading commentators, still maintain that the end justifies the means -- and that even the slaughter of hundreds of thousands of innocents is of no moral consequence, provided a sufficient number of people can delude themselves into believing the final result is a "success."

...

We can appeal all we want to "American exceptionalism," but any "exceptionalism" that remains ours is that of a mass murderer without a soul, and without a conscience. ... It is useless to appeal to any "American" sense of morality: we have none. It does not matter how immense the pile of corpses grows: we will not surrender or even question our delusion that we are right, and that nothing we do can be profoundly, unforgivably wrong.

For the present, and for the United States, the myth commands the controlling position. What will dislodge it? I'm convinced that only widespread devastation visited on the U.S. itself, through economic collapse, natural (or unnatural) catastrophe, or a final war of unspeakably awful consequence, will finally force our leaders and many Americans to surrender the myth that has sustained them for so long. And in such a case, it won't be a choice to acknowledge the truth at long last. The devastation will be so immense that the myth will be rendered entirely irrelevant, a kind of unutterably grisly, sick, pointless joke. I would be profoundly grateful to be in error on this point; I do not think I am.

reply to post by Hecate666


Please then tell me he story of how the German people overthrew the Nazi regime and set up their democracy! Tell me the story of Herr chancellor Reagan told the soviets to tear down these walls. The allies conquered Germany in WWII. The U.S. chose to give Germany back to the capable and strong people of that land to do with as they please. Yes you pulled yourselves up by your own bootstraps, but we gave you your boots.

Yes we have become the police of the world by default of the UN. But we only police we do not conquer. We let people carry on with their lives and their own government. We stand in defiance of those that wish to rule. We oppose such as Mao hat killed his millions, Stalin hat killed is millions, Poll Pot, Mussolini, Hitler, Hussein, Kim Il Jong, and the list goes on.