Is America Exceptional?

 

An affirmative answer used to be a given across the land.  No longer.  Why is that?

Some of the answer is simple ignorance.  If our schools no longer focus on civics – or skip the subject entirely – there is no basis for comparison.  Exceptional compared to what?

Others, these days, seemingly hate what America stands for – or used to.  Memorials and statues of historical figures are defaced or destroyed because of the imperfections of those meant to be honored.  In the same vein, major publications, business and entertainment industries foster and promote the libel that America is not only today a racist country but was founded to secure racism.

So let me recite facts – not emotions – that America as a nation always has been – and remains – an exceptional place.  Of course, perfection is not contended and sometimes some of us can be exceptionally bad (race riots spring to mind).  But, on the whole, The Sensible Conservative suggests to be an American is a blessing indeed.

Now for reminders of our often-neglected positive history and the generally good nature of our fellow Americans.

          *  In 1775, the American Revolution began in reality (the Battle’s of Lexington in Concord MA began in April).  This commenced the battle for liberty which, while formally announced in July of 1776, took seven years to reach fruition.  Finally, a nation of freedom-loving inhabitants existed committed to self-government.  Albeit the commitment had major exclusions.  But in the world of the 18th century, it was an exceptional fact, indeed.

          *  1787 brought together an exceptional group which established a governmental framework that would ensure the survival of individual freedom by limiting authority.  It is fair to say that many observers back then had more hope than expectation that this unique experiment would survive.  But it has and serves as a beacon of hope for freedom-seeking people everywhere.

          *  1861-1865, the Civil War.  750,000 died.  400,000 Union soldiers and 350,000 Confederates.  As of 1860, the U.S. population (32 million) was ten percent of the number of inhabitants today.  Translation:  those deaths to match statistics today would mean 7 ½ million casualties.  Reparations?  How many more needed to die in the fight to end slavery?

          *1917-1918 – the U.S. enters World War I and rescues European democracies

          *1941-1945 – American industry and military save the world from Nazism.  [The Soviet Union would have collapsed before the war’s end without materiel support from the U.S.]

 

[To Be Continued]