American Exceptionalism -Forward this to Everyone You Know

[db5]

American Exceptionalism

I have sent this twice to The Oklahoman (OPUBCO) in Oklahoma City and twice it has been rejected. This was sent in response to their misinformed article on American Exceptionalism and a publication from Vladimir Putin wherein he depicted our exceptionalism on wealth and energy. This publication, as well as thousands of other accepted his definition of the meaning of the phrase.

Vladimir Putin’s misunderstanding of “American Exceptionalism” can be excused. He has limited history of the US and our government.

Regrettably, when you allow someone else’s definition of a word or concept to override the original meaning, you allow it to become what is accepted and to supplant what was originally intended. Politicians no longer lie, they misspeak. More appalling is that the more often a lie is repeated the more it becomes accepted as fact. The acceptance of Putin’s “misspeak” is an example.

Do some homework (not Google someone’s opinion) but some real delving into what “American Exceptionalism” was and still is.

Prior to the independence of the United States every nation, country or tribe had one thing in common. Either a single person or a select few ruled all. Israel, under the leadership of Moses and later, some leaders of the Israelis tried to change this but the people wanted a king, someone to rule over them. The evil empires around them had a king and they wanted one too. God told them they were stupid but they insisted. Since God knew that you couldn’t fix stupid, He let them do what they wanted – to their dismay and destruction. Every civilization since had a ruler. The people did what the ruler wanted and had no choice. The people were the servants of whomever was in power. That’s Putin’s history and his perspective.

America, with it’s Declaration of Independence and Constitution, became the exception: hence the phrase, “American Exceptionalism”. The rulers were there to serve the people. Those elected were no longer rulers but servants. For the first time is recorded history, the people weren’t there to serve the rulers. That created the opportunity for education, creation of wealth by others who were not wealthy, job opportunity, moving out of poverty to self-sufficiency, exploration that benefited the individual not just the state, commerce, invention and even independent art – yes art. Until then no artist succeeded without a benefactor who was either a powerful Catholic church or government official. That was what made America Exceptional; not the achievements that were a result of that change in who served whom. It was the opportunities that resulted from that reversal of who was in power. It was a complete reversal of what the world had known. That is what “American Exceptionalism” means. American was and is exceptional in how it is governed. The meaning has not changed.

If you ascribe to Putin’s definition of the term, which President Obama clearly does, then you lose sight of a very important concept that has enabled this nation and all it’s citizens, native-born, legal immigrants and even illegal immigrants to succeed. Perhaps the illegal immigrants grasp this better than native-born citizens. They come here by the thousands that have grown into millions because they know that this country still offers a way to improve their lives because they are not subjugated to those in power, i.e., the government.

[JPG]

Maybe Putin is right! - The publicists are cow towing to the ruler's decree!:eek:

[skou]

"Perhaps the illegal immigrants grasp this better than native-born citizens. They come here by the thousands that have grown into millions because they know that this country still offers a way to improve their lives because they are not subjugated to those in power, i.e., the government."

Little do they know!

I'm thinking that Putin is right, too. He can probably read the tea leaves better than most of us, and sees the downfall of America.

This isn't the America I was born into. isn't even the America I volunteered in the army, for.

db5, that isn't the Oklahoma I remember, either.

Sad. We had it, and now we're being sold for 30 pieces of silver. (Or was it a mess of pottage?)

steve

[Ed in Tampa]

“America is like a healthy body and its resistance is threefold: its patriotism, its morality and its spiritual life. If we can undermine these three areas, America will collapse from within.”
―Joseph Stalin
Read more at http://izquotes.com/author/joseph-stalin

[idcook]

It’s easy to see why this has been repeatedly rejected.

Of course this doesn’t mean that some kind of media entity won’t print it someday.

[holsgo]

I think this american exceptionalism stuff is overrated. We are not exceptional. At least not from the outside looking in. Putin doesn't see the exceptionalism. It's like we think we are the hottest girl in school but the one dude who doesnt agree is the one with the problem. Putin is that dude..Who said we were exceptional anyway? That's the very self important tag that makes other countries hate us.
Btw, if our president could carry himself with the same self assured attitude that Putin does we may very well be able to back up the nonsense we tout. But we don't, we are out of money, and we have a knack of being in the role of international police officer. And that job doesn't seem to pay.

[JPG]

I think this american exceptionalism stuff is overrated. We are not exceptional. At least not from the outside looking in. Putin doesn't see the exceptionalism. It's like we think we are the hottest girl in school but the one dude who doesnt agree is the one with the problem. Putin is that dude..Who said we were exceptional anyway? That's the very self important tag that makes other countries hate us.
Btw, if our president could carry himself with the same self assured attitude that Putin does we may very well be able to back up the nonsense we tout. But we don't, we are out of money, and we have a knack of being in the role of international police officer. And that job doesn't seem to pay.

The media's version is overrated. Mainly because it has that skewed view.

The USA is not exceptional because of money, intellect or other similar attribute.

It is exceptional for all the reasons given in the first post.

Being 'perfect', or ever 'correct' is not relevant(as has been proven often).



Do look up the definition of tyranny, tyrant. Two centuries and almost two score ago the founding fathers of this country declared their future non tolerance of that, those.

It was an extraordinary act taken at no small risk to the signers.

That and what followed during the next two scores did indeed make 'us' exceptional.

No we were not the first, and I do hope we do not follow in some predecessors foot steps.

[keakap]

I think this american exceptionalism stuff is overrated. We are not exceptional. At least not from the outside looking in....

And obviously millions upon millions upon millions of those "outside looking in" have agreed with that premise over the last 250 or so years (even in the last 100 years, since the progressives started turning their self-loathing into hatred of country and good).

What seems to be forgotten is what formed this country. The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution are still exceptional and superior. It is the haters of them- today called "progressives" by and large- that have tarnished the dream. ALL that is bad today in America derives from the Left.

It is that simple.

[JPG]

And obviously millions upon millions upon millions of those "outside looking in" have agreed with that premise over the last 250 or so years (even in the last 100 years, since the progressives started turning their self-loathing into hatred of country and good).

What seems to be forgotten is what formed this country. The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution are still exceptional and superior. It is the haters of them- today called "progressives" by and large- that have tarnished the dream. ALL that is bad today in America derives from the Left.

It is that simple.

GEE I wonder what they are 'progressing' towards?:rolleyes:

Maybe Joseph Stalin was a 'progressive'. That earlier quote IMHO certainly says it all about where we are 'heading'.

[idcook]

Just to make sure we’re all on the same page — one of the many things that thoughts of Exceptionalism tends to except. We’ll keep it close to what many tend to think of as familiar that it may be somewhat easier for local historians to digest.

http://artery.wbur.org/2014/07/02/magna ... boston-mfa

In the event the first link expires as human activity proceeds:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magna_Carta