I should say from the outset that I do believe a version of this concept. I believe that we were fortunate that when this nation was founded we had some of the most brilliant political minds in human history to help shape it. And that as a result, the United States is better equipped than most countries to handle the ebbs and flows of history and to adapt to change. I also believe that the values and ideals that are enshrined in the Constitution gives the United States an ability to promote freedom and liberty that other countries do not have. But only if the government honors and cherishes those values and ideals.
No, the "American Exceptionalism" I am speaking of here is the myth beloved by the Republicans. The idea that the United States is superior because of its history, that it has been chosen by God to lead the world and that we can truly do no wrong. That the United States can do anything it wants, because it is the greatest nation in the world and in all of human history.
In this version of "American Exceptionalism", there is no challenge the United States cannot overcome because God and history are on our side.
So why then do the Republicans abandon this ideal of theirs when certain issues are discussed?
Why do Republicans believe that we can do no good through intervention in Darfur? That it would require too much of us? If we are truly blessed by God and capable of all things, surely we can send soldiers there as part of an international peace-keeping force, right?
Why do Republicans always tell us that universal healthcare will be unavoidably bad because of the experiences of Canada and the United Kingdom? If the United States is unique and superior, then I would think we could easily avoid the pitfalls of those "lesser" nations. After all, they are not as exceptional as we are.
Why do Republicans believe that re-introducing some regulation to our markets would cripple them and compare us to Germany and France? If the United States can do all things and is blessed by God, then surely our economy will still thrive and grow, since we are God's Chosen. Not like those perfidious French!
It seems to me that the Republicans abandon the concept of "American Exceptionalism" with striking regularity. And here I thought they loved this country.
There is a battle to be fought here. The United States is an exceptional country, but not in the way that the Republicans like to use the idea.
We are a nation founded not on religion or race or ethnicity. We are a nation founded on the simple premise that "all men are created equal." That everyone should have an equal opportunity to work for the life they want to have. And if you look at how people of various cultures and faiths and colors have come together and succeeded through our national history, I think we have achieved that ideal more than any other Western democracy. There is a reason that Muslims in America have a better life and more opportunity, as a whole, than Muslims in France or the UK. There is a reason that Arabs have a better life and more opportunity in America, as a whole, than Arabs in Germany or Austria. There is a reason that people of Chinese and Japanese descent have a better life and more opportunity in America, as a whole, than they would in Australia.
We are a nation that can change in amazing ways. Even in the last 40 years, we have seen the death of Jim Crow and institutionalized racism. We have seen the introduction of many people of different races and faiths into our systems of governance. As problems have arisen, we have (when led to do so) met them head-on and solved them.
That is the "American exceptionalism" of which I speak, and the one that scares the Republicans the most.
Their version is based on fear and bigotry. Their America is an iron-fisted colossus that bestrides the world, not a beacon of freedom and hope. Their vision is one that sees our nation as Christian and our culture as European from now until the sun is a burnt ember floating through space. Their America shuns changing, but would rather remake the world in its own image by any means necessary. And their version of America is fragile, because to accept one new idea or new thought would shatter the nation's very foundation.
This is a fight we must engage in. We must take this concept back from the Republicans. How America sees itself, and presents itself to the rest of the world, is critical to our future. Let's show the world that the United States is "exceptional" for all the right reasons. We took a big step in that direction on November 4. Let's keep going.