Is America Exceptional?

Now that we're heading towards the 4th of July, a question. Is America exceptional?

American exceptionalism is grounded in the founding of the United States upon an idea, rather than upon the ambitions of men. Indeed, it was designed to be a nation of laws and specifically not of men, built on the concept of individual liberty and equal justice before the law, with freedoms ranging from speech to worship, and rights from gun ownership to assembly.

The Founding Fathers institutionalized these freedoms so we would be safe from the overweening burdens and capricious claims of a too-powerful state. These freedoms would allow individuals to do as they pleased within the confines of the law and to achieve, in ways big and small, to the benefit of the country as a whole.

Even in extremely difficult times, American exceptionalism survived. Faced with the darkest days of civil and foreign wars; economic depression and recessions; weak leadership at home or aggressive, hostile leadership from abroad; the American people kept faith in the uniqueness of our democratic experiment. Liberty provides opportunity, which is why in our 233 short years, we have produced (even with its flaws and flawed representatives) the greatest democracy in the world, the most productive engine of economic growth, the most influential culture and the most far-reaching effects of innovation.

President Obama's reference to British or Greek exceptionalism suggests a belief that the United States doesn't stand alone with a particular greatness but that every nation is great in its own way and America is simply one of many nations with something cool to offer.

Here's how I know America is exceptional. Just look at the net inflow of immigrants to this country. Just in my little "Redville" accounting practice I have clients from Kuwait, Pakistan, Columbia, Venezuela, Russia, Mexico, England, Canada & France just to think of the one's that come to mind.

How many American's have left here to establish permanent residency in another country. Not too damn many.

But tell that to a lefty who thinks that Europe is exceptional. "Isn't it amazing how sophisticated the Euro's are. Well even in France, the kids speak French!"

So as we head into this Independence Day weekend, think about how exceptional the US is.

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