Decline of American Exceptionalism

“Smaller is better when it comes to government.”

I would agree. But as a culture we have decided that government needs to be big. Even most conservatives live their lives this way while saying that government should be smaller. Where do most children go to school...government run public schools. Where do most elderly people receive a monthly check...government run social security. Where do most people receive health coverage...government run medicare and medicaid. Who is normally one of the largest employers in any given city in the U.S....the government run public education system. All this while we are told that the U.S. is a “center right” country. So, if the country tips to the conservative side and we still have elections, why is the government still getting bigger? I believe it is because as a culture we have allowed it to happen...why...because we have turned to the government for the “easy” fix instead of to God and family where we might have to take responsibility for our own lives.

Good afternoon.

Interesting take on 'exceptionalism' from the NYT. But, here is the bottom line: in most countries you can vote in elections, vote with your pocketbook, and/or vote with your feet.

I have traveled much of the world, and my feet voted for the U.S. So have millions of others from all over the globe. That imho, is one way to define American exceptionalism.

5.56mm

The bottom line is what is exceptional about America is its founding on the belief that rights come from God, not the state.

That's well put.

Not being very religious myself I might say the same sort of thing with a little different wording: What's exceptional about American is the quality of the ideas our country was founded on -- respect for freedom and the rights of the individual.

These ideas are exceptionally good, compared with the ideas that other countries use to organize themselves. These ideas make us an exceptionally good country -- at least when we follow them.

Call me a "bitter clinger," but that's my view and I'm sticking with it.

According to a report issued on Thursday by the Pew Research Center’s Global Attitudes Project, when Americans were asked if they agreed with the statement “our people are not perfect but our culture is superior to others,” only 49 percent agreed. That’s down from 60 percent in 2002, the first time that Pew asked the question.

Obamaism is working.

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