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Listen up, American Exceptionalism , The belief that we live in the greatest country in the history of the world , we are and should be the one single super power Militarily and economically, we are an example for every other country in the world to follow in Freedom, Charity, Entrepreneurialism. We are unique because of our Constitution and the fact that people are coming in to our Country like no other because of it.
Excuse me, excuse me, excuse me.
That is ONLY your opinion. And your opinion IS NOT FACT.
I'm gonna argue that Greece is that greatest nation in the world because they invented democracy, so there.
How dare you write to me like that, I will not be patronized.
I hate the idea of exceptionalism because it's lazy and ultimately self-defeating. The problem with the US over the past 30 years has been the persistent "we're #1, and if you don't like it, leave" mentality which essentially grounds the country from moving forward. Because hey, why fix what ain't broken?
Instead of attacking those who want changes, we should always be asking HOW we can make this country better.
I agree, but I also recognize we play a special role in the world.
Yes I believe in it. With just my personal passions and hobbies I often enjoy in past American exceptionalism and inovation, that being guitars and firearms.
While there are many fine guitars out there, some of which are made not in America, the American made Fender and Gibson still has a legendary quality and status that all around the world still prefere a American made. Then there is the music, blues, R&B, rock, which America or Americans mostly created.
Everytime I shoot my single action revolver, or my Winchester rifle, or my M1 Garand I shoot a firearm designed and innovated by a American and had a huge effect on world events.
I also believe in the exceptionalism of America's founding document, the declaration of independence, that was worded in a way that would ultimately allow all to be equal in basic rights, doing away with classism by birth.
However I have tempered my beliefs in recent times compared to before, I once blindly fell into the belief that America is #1 badass always, which is ultra patriotism. I have have come to realize that being ultra in anything is being close minded, and some will manipulate you using it , like blindly supporting a war for instance. Ultra patriotism (or ultra partisan politics, or religion) leads to a belief that you are superior always, that those around you mean less, if they don't agree with you. That the end justifies the means.
I see it happening again when some say use our military on the Mexican border to combat drugs, they think that no matter what our military can win in any situation. And they fail or refuse to question American policy which might be the root problem of it.
American Exceptionalism might sound good to people who want to pat themselves on the back, but to the rest of the world, we are arrogant creeps who do terrible things around the globe. History proves that the country that claims exceptionalism gets beaten down handily in the end.
In order to function optimally, it is best if all involved share resources and live by our well-intentioned but apparently completely disregarded idea that "all men are created equal". Why do we abandon that concept at the national level? Doesn't such hypocrisy add to our sullied reputation abroad? We say one thing but do exactly the opposite.
My country, indeed any country, would only be exceptional to me when it knows it is part of a larger collective, it respects others as equals, it puts nature and the planet in their deserved lofty spot, it provides its citizens the freedom of expression, it doesn't waste resources, it lives peacefully, and its leaders know how to lead by example rather than by decree. We are nowhere near that. "Close" isn't good enough, all it does is encourage complacency. You can't possibly say we're the greatest when our population is stupid, ignorant, and as obese as it is right now,
Ahhh another America lover dreaming of collective thought. Is collective thought exceptional?
Jealousy is what most other countries have of America. We would be a better country if all the haters moved to the country of their dreams.
What other nation in history will kick your tail in a fight after bombing your country, feed you and then pay to rebuild it?
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