‘American Exceptionalism’ Under Attack

American Thinker.com ^ | March 20, 2020 | William D. Howard

[Kaslin]

One thing that progressives and secular humanists have in common is their disdain for the belief in “American exceptionalism.” This belief has been fundamental to how Americans have viewed their country from the beginning. It is the belief that America’s role in the world is unique, idealistic, and constructive of a greater world good.

American leaders as different in their religious views as James Madison, Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, and John Adams all supported the inculcation of Judeo-Christian values by public education. In 1789, the day after the establishment of the 1st amendment, Congress passed a resolution calling for a day of national prayer. From the historical evidence it is clear that Jefferson’s “Wall of separation between Church and State” had a number of openings to allow Judeo-Christian moral instruction to pass through. Historian Paul Johnson stated it this way: “The Founding Fathers saw education and religion going hand in hand.” The Northwest Ordinance, which promoted the settlement of the frontier west, stated: “Religion, morality and knowledge, being necessary to good government… and the happiness of mankind… the means of education shall forever be encouraged.” Those means throughout most of American history included moral training based upon Judeo-Christian sources. From our beginning as a nation our leaders took note of the symbiotic relationship between religious faith and stable government. Washington wrote: “Of all the dispositions and habits which led to political prosperity, Religion and Morality are indispensable supports.”

But more than the recognition that the survival of a democratic society depends on a highly moral citizenry was the acceptance of the grander theme of “American exceptionalism.” The earliest examples of this belief come from colonial times.

[rktman]

Because, as we were reminded by our last (p)resident, ain’t nothing special or exceptional about us anyways.

[Vermont Lt]

We elected generations of political hacks from both parties.

There is no reason anyone in DC should be in their elected position for 30 years.

America as a country is exceptional. We are smart, moral, and kind.

Out leaders are a malignant tumor that should be excised.

[Sacajaweau]

We're doing okay thanks to our exceptionalism and a lot of positive thinking deplorables.

And I thank God for President Trump and his wonderful family.

Stay Strong! Stay safe.

[Candor7]

Yankee Ingenuity it used to be called.

Now its called American exceptionalism.

Obungo was an ashaole, one who never grew to experience American exceptionalism. Obungo was not exceptional. He got his way through striking poses and lying.Obungo was one of the worst presidents if not THE worst president our country ever had inflicted upon it.

[rintintin]

I never liked this phrase, American Exceptionalism, because it’s been coined and used by neocons since the time of Bush-Cheney to justify our nation-building foreign wars. It was somehow our right or even duty to invade and occupy countries halfway around the globe

And while spending trillions on those escapades, we find ourselves scrambling and under-resourced to protect Americans from a virus threat right here at home, facing an economic shutdown that icould be crippling to Americans’ personal and collective security