Context: Exceptionalism…

Posted: May 15, 2012 in Contributors, Political Opinion

For the last four to six years, if not longer, many people have accused now President Barack Obama of not believing in America’s exceptionalism.  From Rush Limbaugh to Sean Hannity, the list goes on.  Likewise, so does the list of those who defend him and his stance.

If you search through the internet netherworld on the subject, you will find all sorts of results ranging from radio interviews, video clips, speech transcripts, pod-casts, and so forth on the subject.

Particularly, when selecting an audio clip from what may have been a campaign speech where Obama is responding to what was evidently his opponent’s claim that he didn’t believe America was exceptional, you can hear Barack exclaiming (although don’t quote me on its exactness): I believe in American exceptionalism…as the British believe in British exceptionalism, and just as the Greeks believe in…and so on.  Then, in the background, a thunderous roar could be heard from the cast of thousands in attendance.

Now, for those applauding and cheering in adulated agreement with his words, all I can say is “Moo…   …Moooooo.”

But those who can read between the lines, it’s as clear as night and day.  To say what he said, no matter which way you look at it, is to unequivocally profess that he doesn’t believe in America’s exceptionalism.

Sure, Barack’s defenders have come to his aid stating that his words are being taken out of context.  But that truly isn’t the case.

What they’d like you to believe, and addressing this confusion at face value, is that what he is saying is he believes that everyone, no matter where you exist in this world, is exceptional.  When thinking of the person—the individual—this is true.  We all are exceptional.  And this exceptionality was bestowed upon us by none other than God.

What they have succeeded in doing instead is generating confusion about this issue.  And quite possibly, or more probably, this was purposefully perpetrated in order to placate his masses.  When speaking of the group of individuals as a whole—the country—this is different and false.  A country’s exceptionalism lies in the collective belief for which it stands.

And responding directly to it, our country’s exceptionalism is exactly and indisputably where the context of this issue exists.

To say what Obama has said is to say that what exists here in America (and what America stands for) is no better than anywhere else on this planet.  And it also says that every other country in the world, and every other form of government, stands equal to that ofAmerica.

His context is a stark contrast to the truth and the reality behind the sayings, actions, and written words of The Founding Fathers!

For nowhere else on this planet, other than right here at home in these United States Of America, can it be found or said that “We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness”.

So, when specifically addressing an issue as one’s belief in his country’s exceptionalism, one does not mince words.  His words mean exactly what they mean.

And we must all take issue with this!

Yet still there will be some who might argue that he meant something else.  But ask yourself this: “Why then didn’t this most prolifically unrivaled of orators simply just say something else?”

I mean, he (supposedly) has a grasp on the language.  He is or was a lawyer.  So he knows how well and succinct the spoken and written word needs to be.

Maybe he was avoiding the subject?  Or maybe he was resorting to political correctness?  Or maybe he doesn’t have a clue what exceptional means and what it means to be so?

It is true that everyone has a right to what they believe.  But nowhere else does this mean more, and nowhere else has this moral truth been self-evident, than in America.  It started here.  It exists here.  It is stronger here.  And it is projected outward from here.

So when it comes to your country’s exceptionalism…   …you stand up for it!

Unless of course you don’t believe in it.

  • cmacrider

    Brian:  As a Canadian, allow me to make the case for “American Exceptionalism.”  Exceptional means uniquely different and in this context denotes something which is beneficial.  As you imply by pointing to the “life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness” clause, America is the only country that used a legal mechanism (the Constitutional Documents) to specifically declare that certain things are invested in mankind by the Creator and hence are beyond the power of the State to either grant or derogate.  I know of no other society who has made that declaration and then proceeded to create their society on that philosophical premise.

    A constitutional Monarchy such as exists in the U.K, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand etc. operate on a quite different paradigm.

    However, let me suggest that the idea of American Exceptionalism is undermined by persons who make jingoistic statements which have no empirical basis.  Some try to argue for American Exceptionalism by saying that   “America is the most free nation on earth …. when Canadian and Australians have as much personal freedom as Americans.  Some try to argue for American Exceptionalism by saying “Americans are the smartest ….. when their is ample evidence to show that their education system is in no way superior to other nations ….   My point is not to denigrate Americans but rather to point out that these proposition on not indicia of “American Exceptionalism” and provide fodder for people like Obama to denigrate American Exceptionalism.

    It seems to me that the fact that the Founders of America, who were fully versed in the thinking from the Age of Enlightenment, decided that “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” were not matters within the purview of the King or the State and in fact were natural endowments from the Supreme Being created a completely new and unique form of Government.  Of that invention, it seems to me, Americans should be justly proud and I am quite sick of this Postmodern movement to erode a historical achievement which belongs to Americans …. and to them alone. 

  • Terry

    How could you possibly see the country from the inside out, if you’ve spent the formative first eighteen years of your life outside the United States. American exceptionalism can’t be grasped in that fashion.

  • Dan_Thinks

    The subject of exceptionalism brings to my mind a report put out by the California Association of Scholars. It’s titled (A Crisis of Competence). It’s a long read at 81 pages but I found it worth it. I’m 61 years old and was thinking how much things have changed. You can download it from their Web site. If your like me and have been scratching your head wondering what the heck happened it will give you some insight. If our kids are being indoctrinated rather than educated it’s no wonder we are in such a mess.  

  • NANCYE

    From the article:

    To say what Obama has said is to say that what exists here in America (and what America stands for) is no better than anywhere else on this planet.  And it also says that every other country in the world, and every other form of government, stands equal to that ofAmerica.

    *********************************

    Obama is a Marxist/commie, so what can we expect from him other than to elevate all other countries to our own.  After all, in commie countries everyone is on the same level.  No one is smarter, better, more educated, earns more, richer, <<<(heavens forbid) etc.  You get it, I get it, we get it, Obama doesn't get it!!!