American Exceptionalism

American Exceptionalism

What do those two simple words mean? To you, to your friends and family, particularly the older generations of your family? Does it mean that Americans, as a “race” or a people, are somehow inherently BETTER than citizens of other nations, as the Germans believed about the so-called Aryan master race? Are we smarter, stronger, faster? I don't believe that's what it means at all. In fact, I think those ideas are diametrically OPPOSITE the true meaning of American exceptionalism.

To me, what makes America exceptional is WHO we are as a people, not WHAT. A nation born of immigrants, forged by the fire of revolution, and united in our desire to be free. A nation governed by the Rule of Law, not by the law of a RULER. A place where anyone, regardless of place or circumstance of birth, is free to do whatever they want, and go as far as their inherent talent, hard work, and a little bit of luck can get them. American history is positively LITTERED with stories of the lowest of the low reaching the highest of highs. Benjamin Franklin, for one, is a crystalizing example of this.

Ethnicity, a common religion, a shared history – these unifying qualities have been the normal foundations for the rise of nations. They give meaning and purpose to a nation. Not so with America. Absolutely unique among nations, America was founded upon a particular idea, by particular people, and at a particular time in history.

At its birth, this nation justified its independence by asserting truths said to be self-evident, according to “the Laws of Nature and Nature’s God.” Working from the great principle of human equality, the revolutionaries who launched this experiment in popular government claimed a new basis of political legitimacy; the consent of those governed. Through a carefully written constitution, they created an enduring framework of limited government based on the Rule of Law, not the Laws of a Ruler.

The intellectually elite amongst us - those teaching the next generation in the great universities and law schools, those in the entertainment world shaping the popular culture, and those in the mainstream media setting the terms of our political discourse – an exponentially growing number of them no longer believe that the self-evident truths which America depends upon, that serve as her very foundation, either no longer exist, or are outdated and no longer applicable to all time. For the past one hundred years, the federal government, increasingly under the sway of progressivism and modern liberalism, has lost its way, acting with little or no concern for the Constitution, which many believe obsolete, and the limits placed upon it therein.

This view now also dominates major portions of the leadership in both political parties. As a result, we are left divided about our own meaning as a nation, unable – perhaps unwilling – to defend our ideas, our institutions, and maybe even ourselves. There is another way forward. But it will take a monumental effort to get our country back on track. We don’t need to remake America, or discover new and untested principles. The change we need is not the rejection of America’s principles but a great renewal of the foundational principles and constitutional wisdom that are the true roots of our country’s greatness.

I absolutely REJECT the notion that there is no such thing as American exceptionalism. No where else on earth can you find a nation that was founded upon an IDEA. The principles that governed this nation for so long; that it doesn't matter where you were born, who you parents happened to be, how poor or rich your family is does NOT determine how successful you can be, that the people weren't subject to the whims and foibles of a “ruling class,” etc., can NOT be understated when recognizing what this nation has meant to the planet.

America has saved the world from ITSELF more times than anyone can count. We are the ONLY consistent force for GOOD on the planet. Have we made mistakes? Undoubtedly. Our balance sheet, however, remains largely on the plus side. But for how much longer? When we encourage the extermination of generations of human beings, encourage people to live only by the largesse of government, turn a blind eye to evil in the name of “moral relativism,” how much longer can we last, either as a nation, or a people?

I've often said that only to America can someone emigrate, from anywhere else in the world, become a naturalized citizen, and be considered just as AMERICAN as anyone whose family has been here for generations. You can't move to France and become French. Same with Germany, Spain, Russia, etc., etc., etc.

For those who may disagree with the very idea of American exceptionalism, I ask this one, very simple question: Has there ever been another nation in existence which you could move, not the PEOPLE, but what binds it together as a nation, and have it still turn out the same?

You can't, plain and simple. ~ Hunter