The United States of America should take action in specific cases, such as Syria’s use of chemical weapons, according to President Obama, who recently delivered a speech in which he told the world that the United States cannot be a global police force. Obama said, “That is what sets us apart from other countries.” “Let us never lose sight of that fundamental reality, and let us do so with humility, but with strong determination.” Immediately in reaction, Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, voiced his objections in an essay published in the New York Times. He said, “It is highly harmful to encourage individuals to perceive themselves as unique, regardless of the cause.” Putin’s rejection of the special nature of the United States of America is a popular topic of discussion among leftist intellectuals and progressives in general. “Since the 1960s, post-nationalist scholars have been arguing against the concept of American exceptionalism. They contend that the United States of America has not successfully separated itself from the history of Europe. As a result, the United States has continued to practice imperialism, war, class inequality, and race-based inequality. To add insult to injury, they believe that the majority of countries subscribe to some type of exceptionalism.” There is a book written by David W. Noble titled “Death of a Nation: American Culture and the End of Exceptionalism.” A large number of liberal activists and journalists, eager to disprove any sense of American exceptionalism, have leaped on the matter, which is now being discussed by both President Obama and Vladimir Putin. “The idea of “American Exceptionalism” is something that I have never been able to comprehend. For what specific reason do we stand out from the rest of the pack? It seems to imply, in essence, that none of the regulations that are applicable to all other nations should be applicable to our country. Offensive military action, which involves invading a nation that has not attacked you, is completely unacceptable, with the exception of situations in which we use it. There have always been two elements that have made the United States of America unique and have been the driving force behind our climb to dominance: the Atlantic and the Pacific. And that’s all. We are separated from our main industrialized adversaries by seas; no nation is an exception to this rule. In the end, the United States of America is merely another nation that benefited from a geographical happenstance.” – According to Michael Gene Sullivan’s article published on HuffingtonPost.com on September 15, 2013, “The Myth of American Exceptionalism,” The accomplishments of the United States of America are really remarkable; nonetheless, they do not provide the foundation for the concept of American exceptionalism. It is the character that is exemplified in the daily lives of the American people via the fundamental institutions of family, religion, and government that constitute her national character. It is because of this character that the individual is able to liberate himself from the constraints of his ethnicity, nationality, and religion, therefore realizing his full potential as a free person. The precipitous ascent of the United States of America to power and affluence is unprecedented in the annals of history. With only five percent of the world’s population, the United States of America generates twenty-five percent of the world’s wealth, has more total technological patents and scientific citations than the rest of the world, possesses a military might that surpasses that of all other nations combined (yet uses that power to drive out Iraqi invaders and put out oil-well fires in Kuwait, then leaves), and her citizens donate more to charity than the rest of the world combined. However, these remarkable accomplishments do not serve as the foundation for the concept of American exceptionalism. The concept of American exceptionalism does not imply that people from the United States are superior to people from other countries or that the United States of America is the best nation in the history of the world. It also does not indicate that the United States of America is exempt from the regulations that govern other countries. Unlike all other nations, which derive their identity and purpose from some unifying quality – an ethnic character, a common religion, or a shared history – the United States of America is founded on and dedicated to the principles of human liberty. These principles are grounded in the truths that all men are created equal and are endowed by their Creator with lifelong rights. This makes the United States of America truly exceptional. In the history of the world, the United States of America is the only country that was formed on a credo that is relevant to all men and all periods. The United States of America is a remarkable nation because of this. The grandeur that the United States of America has attained may be attributed to the fundamental ideals that it upholds. Regrettably, we started out well but are making a poor end. The actions that are being taken in the United States of America today are contrary to her philosophy, as our government is gradually restricting the liberties of individuals and limiting their potential to the leveling effects of wealth transfer. The only thing that might enable such a collapse to occur without opposition is ignorance of our history and the ideas that have become our basis. It is possible that Presidents Putin and Obama have different opinions on the concept of American exceptionalism; yet, they are completely in accord about the role of the government in controlling every aspect of the lives of its citizens, of course for the citizens’ own benefit. Author’s Personal History: Additionally, Dennis W. Hicks and his wife, Donna Rae, were involved in the process of church planting in the states of California and Idaho. He was the founder and director of three high-tech firms. Over the course of three decades, he has served as a guide, a preacher, and an author. Currently, Dennis and Donna Rae make their home in the breathtaking Bitterroot Valley, which is located close to Hamilton, Montana. Three of their children have reached adulthood and are now establishing their own godly families in the states of Idaho and California. Located at 350 Lorenz Spur Drive, Hamilton, Montana 59840, Dennis W. Hicks may be reached at (406) 961-0111 or by email at dhicks@lightwaveart.com. We put our faith in God.
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