Is America Exceptional ? (continued)

 

During July 4 week, this seems a particularly appropriate time to consider why our nation is so.

          *  Here’s a largely unknown fact:  Americans are an exceptionally generous people when compared to those in the rest of the world.  Citizens of the U.S. – not our government – give over 2% of our gross domestic product to charity.  The closest county is Canada at 1.2%, France at .3% and European power house Germany is .1%.

          *  American stands up for its values.  Words are cheap.  Action is costly, as members of our military are well aware.

          *  American exceptionalism is also accompanied by hubris and a naïve belief that our political system of liberal democracy will be welcomed by people everywhere.  So we are foolish at times.  But we do try rather consistently to make the world a better place.

In this world of evil, harshness and cynicism, that’s an exceptionalism worth celebrating.

 

Happy July 4^th!

 

You are blessed to live in the “land of the free and the home of the brave”.