American exceptionalism

“American exceptionalism” (i.e., the view that this country is uniquely different from other nations).

Most recently in the politics of America the term American exceptionalism has been mentioned as a concept that the Democrats and in particular President Obama know nothing of and care little for. Nothing unique about America can happen, according to the self proclaimed owners of American exceptionalism, when all you do is spread Communist and Socialist agenda’s. There is little to no correlation, say the definers of American exceptionalism, of what the Founding Fathers of this nation intended for its Christian citizens and how the Liberals/Progressives proceed in making laws for its non Christian minorities. And there is very little cohesive bond, state the self perceived Constitutional scholars, in how the Constitution is mis-read, mis-used, and very abused by those who think current events should even cause any concern on amending a very old statement of fact.

President Obama said in his State of the Union speech last night: “The idea of America endures. Our destiny remains our choice. And tonight, more than two centuries later, it is because of our people that our future is hopeful, our journey goes forward, and the state of our union is strong."

I listened intently as the President spoke, I was the critic, I was the one translating his words into reality and I was the surveyor of truth. I then listened to the pundits and talking heads of three cable outlets just to do a reality check and see if what I heard was going to be repeated by the media. MSNBC heard almost the same as I did. They were more critical as to the how and why of the Presidents words, but felt he indeed propped up the mantel of American exceptionalism. CNN tried to be neutral and looked closer at what was not said, at least according to them, and found a dimly lit star radiating American exceptionalism. FOX News decided to cut out the good, re-emphasize what they considered the bad, provided token Liberal response and said that once again all the President does is talk in words too glossy to be believed and never mentioned any inking towards his understanding of American exceptionalism.

As is a very fair American tradition a response to the State of the Union by our sitting President, is provided by the opposition party. It is an opportunity for the non occupants of the White House to try and correct the assertions by the party in power that the state of the union is better while they govern the nation. The man, this year, given that major responsibility was Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI). Ryan said. “This is a future in which we will transform our social safety net into a hammock, which lulls able-bodied people into lives of complacency and dependency.” He insisted that the President disassociated himself from wanting to solve the real issues of this country, and stated indirectly that the greatness of this county to maintain American exceptionalism is diffused by the outrageous deficit spending in the Presidents economic policies. Mr. Ryan wondered out loud if our economy might crash and burn in a similar manner as the current Greek government has done due to their continuous catering to social safety nets.

Crash and burn because... a nation is concerned about Health Care, providing unemployment checks to people who lost their jobs due to gluttonous and greedy vandalism by big corporations, Wall Street and financial institutions... wants seniors to retire and be able to afford to pay rent and buy food. Crash and burn because... a nation that feels equality in wealth and taxes spent is important, and those who have little should not be paying the same taxes as those who a whole hell of a lot? Crash and burn because... by saving the jobs of the workers in the American auto industry...stopping a trickling down affect of having unemployed American auto workers devastating millions of other people’s careers? Crash and burn because... light rail, fast speed rail, infrastructure can create a safer environment, and create millions of jobs? Crash and burn because part of generating American exceptionalism is providing opportunity to those who may need some help to pull themselves up from their own bootstraps? Crash and burn because diversity has and should be the one defining accolade that helps American exceptionalism?

As has never been the case before in this country, a third political party, the Tea Party Express decided it too should voice its official opinion on both the President’s State of the Union speech and declare its own philosophy for the year ahead. (Because of American exceptionalism free speech is welcomed in this nation, but too bad it is not written in the Constitution that free speech should be based on truth). Congresswoman Michelle Bachman (R-MN) took to live streaming and then picked up on the CNN channel to lay claim to another point of view about the State of this Nation. The Tea Party Express said American exceptionalism started happening again, after a two year hiatus, this past November when true Americans were elected to the majority of the House of Representatives, and gained more seats in the Senate. She inferred that compromise did not bring American exceptionalism to this nation and once those who believe in the constitutionality of the Constitution, the conservativism of the Constitution, the culture that the Constitution created American exceptionalism will be stymied. (She did not use the word stymie as it was too difficult for her to define, but that was the gist of her statement.

American exceptionalism it seems via the definition of the Tea Party Express likes less government, but prefers restrictions within the government for those deemed not really good Christian Americans. If you are female and want protection over your own body, or female and want to earn an income similar to a male, or a homosexual and want equal rights to marry, or a child of an undocumented but have been raised in this country for most of your life and want to become a citizen or go to college, or if you do not believe in the correct Jesus and can’t be trusted or even build your house of worship where you choose there is an exception for you as an American to understand American exceptionalism.

If this country is to be viewed as one uniquely different from other nations… then why have we seemed to move closer to countries who identify themselves a one religion is only tolerated environment… or a country where dogma replaces compromise and compromise is not finding the middle but leaning to the right or the left…or differences are not tolerated…or violence can and should replace government?

American exceptionalism, seems it is easier to provide melancholy machinations yearning for the good old days, but doing everything possible to prohibit it from ever arriving on our shores once again. Are we uniquely American or have we become uniquely Un-American?