So what is it about America that makes us great, or more precise, unique?

[WCGreen]

That phrase seems to be the newest buzz word of the right. They toss it off as easily and with about as much meaning as when they sneer liberal or ask with a snaggy dog face why do you hate America. It's a phrase designed, like all the others in the verbal arsenal of the modern conservative movement, to dampen any chance at true dialog. The left has their words as well, but since this is DU, I choose not to bring them up.

But lets take a look at what that term, American Exceptionalism, really means.

To me, at the very least, it summons up all that is unique about this damaged but oh so wonderful experiment in republicanism that we call the United States. For instance, we just witnessed the peaceful change of government. But that is the obvious, elementary example.

The thing is president Obama touched on what make America exceptional when he talked about the US being a country founded on ideals.

Think about how profound that really is. We don't trace our reason for being on God, hereditary rule or religious tenants. We trace our reason for being on a set of documents worked out by exceptional men who rose above their sectarian interests. Of course we had war, strife and far too many venal challenges to the very core of our being. That's why they also call it the American Experiment. It's on going, this exceptional country of ours.

And that is why we fight against the unexceptional that has really been the challenge to our country. We on the left look at the road blocks thrown up by conservatives to stop the evolution of our nation. Remember, conservatives want to preserve, with rampant disregard to the ideals they always cite as their true reason, their current status at all cost. They have their narrow definition of freedom and human rights and how to best implement the founding ideals of the United States.

But we know, for certain, that unless we literally open the system, as I believe the Fathers truly had in mind, to all people who abide by the rules, the country is, by definition, not yet Exceptional. There can not be one set of rules for one and another more heinous set for another in America. That is our fight, we have chosen to participate. That is why we roll.

You know the litany of wrongs we must right. They are self evident in the one phrase that should ignite a deep pride in self and country; All men are created equal. We must never forget that and we must never stop striving to reach those Exceptional Ideals.

[ruggerson]

1. French fries?

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

4. I do believe you mean Freedom Fries

[busymom]

27. LOL

[mix]

2. a beautiful and profound question

myself, i will have to think awhile about it

[LynnTheDem]

3. I don`t think we are.

Not as good as some. not as bad as some. But most citizens think their own nation is the best, the greatest, the most unique and exceptional.

And in that, we`re no exception.

[SharonAnn]

16. True. We're not "unique" nor are we "exceptional". We've been successful in many ways, not so

successful in other ways.

We're in a fortunate geographic location where we've been less vulnerable to potential invaders and where we have abundant natural resources so we've been historically less dependent on other nations. Now we're more vulnerable and more dependent.

We can be proud of our successes, should be humble about our failures, and should realize that we're not "exceptional".

I told my Canadian aunt that perhaps it was good that we not dominate the rest of the world. We've shown that a couple of elections can turn our military might into imperialism and that's not a good thing. It destroys us at our core. Perhaps we and the world are better off if we would no longer dominate.

That's not to say that other potential "dominators" would be a good thing, but we haven't shown that we are a "good thing" either.

[npk]

5. Curbside service

I don't believe you can get that anywhere else.

[provis99]

6. The Demolition Derby is what makes us unique.

What other country would have thought that up? Take that and stuff it up your cultured asses, Europe!

[WCGreen]

7. Well done...

[natrat]

8. the hookers and coke? no,seriously the business political leadership

[CaliforniaPeggy]

9. Here, you've put your finger right on it:

There can not be one set of rules for one and another more heinous set for another in America.

Look at how many instances there exist rules for one set, and another set for other folks. The Blacks, the American Indians, the Mexicans the GLBT community...all have been discriminated against, and still are. One set of rules for us; another set for them. And of course, there are many other groups that have felt, and still feel, the sting of discrimination.

We have our work cut out for us.

K&R

[Gregorian]

10. A good reminder.

That really felt good to read.

It's like the way I feel about someone I met yesterday. He owns his own bicycle company. He makes bikes with care and pride. And he treats his customers with care. Making money is not the most important part of what we do. It's necessary. But what gives us life is that happiness. That clarity of treating others with respect. I am inspired to treat others well in order that I will myself feel happy. It's almost the same as how this country was founded. I know it sounds trite. But that's exactly how the system works. We're brothers and sisters. Either that, or we're adversaries. To put it in a binary way.

Sometimes I feel hope. Reading your post I feel that way.

[Aloha Spirit]

11. Here's the link to Obama's comments on it in France last week, in case anybody missed it

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/News-Conference-By-President-Obama-4-04-2009/

" I believe in American exceptionalism, just as I suspect that the Brits believe in British exceptionalism and the Greeks believe in Greek exceptionalism. I'm enormously proud of my country and its role and history in the world. If you think about the site of this summit and what it means, I don't think America should be embarrassed to see evidence of the sacrifices of our troops, the enormous amount of resources that were put into Europe postwar, and our leadership in crafting an Alliance that ultimately led to the unification of Europe. We should take great pride in that.

And if you think of our current situation, the United States remains the largest economy in the world. We have unmatched military capability. And I think that we have a core set of values that are enshrined in our Constitution, in our body of law, in our democratic practices, in our belief in free speech and equality, that, though imperfect, are exceptional.

Now, the fact that I am very proud of my country and I think that we've got a whole lot to offer the world does not lessen my interest in recognizing the value and wonderful qualities of other countries, or recognizing that we're not always going to be right, or that other people may have good ideas, or that in order for us to work collectively, all parties have to compromise and that includes us."

[Lilith Velkor]

12. Great? Size and power.

Unique? Nothing. We are a doomed empire, just like the ones that came before.

[Imagevision]

13. The fact the people can bind together and get rid of a corrupt government like Bush & Cheney

even the 18 year old voters know they were being had...

[masuki bance]

14. Barack Obama. nt

[stray cat]

15. We certainly have it easier and better than some countries and I'm lucky to have been born here

Are we unique probably not - do we have it good compared to less developed countries for lack of a better term - absolutely

[Lady Effingbroke]

17. The fact that we currently occupy the continent of North America between Canada and Mexico?

:shrug:

[Jennicut]

18. The ideal was freedom but the reality falls short

We are held down by big corporate America and the politicians who are beholden to them. We are not free at all.

[mkultra]

19. we are unique, just like everyone else.

[polichick]

20. imo we have a great Constitution, which we haven't lived up to - yet.

[WCGreen]

37. And that is the point of why we, meaning DU and other like-minded

Americans, must continue the fight. The fight itself shows that we are Exceptional.

[Occam Bandage]

21. I think our best claim to uniqueness is a historical argument,

with America being the world's first and most successful experiment in modern republicanism, as well as being a hotbed of scientific, industrial, and philosophical innovation. That is not to say America is particularly great today, though I'd definitely put it in the top quarter of nations. I like it, at any rate.

[Solon]

22. Not so much America, but in my State, Taxis can deliver beer to your home for you...

What country or state allows that? :D

[Vidar]

23. Not a damned thing. We're just another empire state & we do a piss poor job of it.

[maxsolomon]

24. Hubris

Americans think they're unique because they are told it by propagandists and commerical interests repeatedly. Very few Americans have ever left America (which is pitiful) and discovered that we are by no means The Greatest Country on Earth. In fact, we're stuffed to the gills with smug, xenophobic, obese yahoos.

It is a pretty continent, though.

[DavidDvorkin]

29. Ironically, such hubris is not unique

It's found in many countries.

[maxsolomon]

30. yes, we share hubris with north korea

which really isn't anything to be proud to be an american about.

[WCGreen]

38. It's the idea that we still all basically get along even though we are all

tossed into a giant melting pot ot ethnicity. Where else in the world do many ethnic groups work in relative harmony, were else are immigrants assimilated as quickly as we are here today.

The point is it is easy to dismiss this country as nothing more than consumerism gone wild. It's a lot harder to dig down deep and see what really does make the US unique.

[vaberella]

25. Our status is an ideological framework more than anything else. n/t

[leftofthedial]

26. gullibility

endless reservoirs of gullibility

[Joanne98]

28. The only thing unique about America is that it was the NEW World.

As in a whole Continent with un-tapped natural resources. It was impossible not to be successful in that position. Ridiculous stories have always been made up and applied to this country. Mostly by the advertising industry. American "exceptional ism" is nothing but a product sold to us by myth makers.

[WCGreen]

39. Then how do you explain the evolution of democracy, the assimilation

of people from all walks of like, all religions, all ethnic groups with relative ease. That doesn't make us unique? I mourn that you are so jaded by the last eight years to completely miss what this country is all about.

[Joe Chi Minh]

31. You have a hammer in your hand, and you think everyone but the Russians

and the Chinese look like nails.

[burning rain]

32. I really loathe the term "American exceptionalism."

I find that most who favor it, in fact mean that Americans are a superior race and have no obligation to respect the laws and rules that apply to others, or even to show basic courtesy.

Conservatives, of course, love the concept, because it justifies exempting the US from the laws of nations, in particular providing ideological justification for launching wars of aggression condemned by the world (which is not "exceptional," so its criticisms have no standing).

[WCGreen]

40. That is the perversion of the ideal....

try to look beyond the last few decades and see the relentless march toward that ideal.

[Romulox]

33. We're probably the worst country in the developed world. That makes us unique, I guess? nt

[rug]

34. A continent to exploit and two oceans for protection gave a big head start.

Beyond that, nothing.

[mitchum]

35. Nothing at all

[yawnmaster]

36. It is exceptional, as it is the one country in the world, the only one,

in which I live.