I have been holding off my comments in this thread simply so that I could see where it would go.
The Politico story misses the point of American exceptionalism. It isn't about saying that other countries suck or the USA is the best country ever on all fronts. But let me not America's pluses over other countries.
When combined, these items show that America IS one of the greatest, if not THE greatest country on Earth.
1. Justice system. America's justice system is hands down the best overall system in the world. Name another country that has all of these: Habeas corpus, Miranda, accused are innocent until proven guilty by a jury of their peers, and a prison system that not only guarantees its prisoners with standard human rights, but also allows these persons to better themselves through personal education.
2. Freedoms and rights. Freedom of speech and religion, freedom and right to vote, and that these freedoms and rights cannot be denied regardless of your social status or proclaimed birthright.
3. Serve in public office. A person need not be born an aristocrat to qualify for any public office. The only qualifications are age and residency.
4. Freedom to relocate without government interference or denial. We Americans are free to chose the state and towns we live in, what schools/colleges our children attend, and the jobs we take.
5. No child is denied an education simply because they are too poor or are of a certain sex, race or religion.
6. A government of the people and for the people. Not only do we have a bicameral Congress that represent the people in their districts and states, we have a three sided government that provides real checks and balances to prevent any one person or group taking control over the entire country.
7. Cultural, religious and social diversity. Show me another country with such a diverse population as the US.
While our country is currently facing challenges in the health care arena (some perceived and others real), lack of job growth due to a weak economy partially due to government interference and corporate mismanagement, and, immigration issues due to lack of real reform and a country on our southern border that totally disrespects our sovereignty, America stands at the forefront on all the seven items I mentioned above. What other countries have populations the size of the US and offers all the America offers the individual?
A country where its citizens have no pride of ownership stands to become a victim of violent revolution or invasion. Without that pride, there is no cohesiveness, no security, no guarantee of individual rights, because the people become sheep who let the government make all the decisions that affect their lives. No pride means never speaking out against oppression or tyranny, as the people are either uncaring or fearful of what others think of them.
When we claim American exceptionalism, we are acknowledging and celebrating our own individual accomplishments and the accomplishments of other Americans. When my son scored very well on his SATs, my family went out to celebrate. Was that celebration in any way demeaning the accomplishments of others who have taken the SATs? How is our chest-thumping demeaning or otherwise diminishing the accomplishments of other countries? How does this display of pride really make us look like fools? The same persons who claim America to be the greatest country in the world are some of the same people who have lived through the most adverse conditions and have lived the most interesting lives. So what if some dude who never steps outside his own little world claims the US sucks. Gee, Wally, if I only observed and noted the bad things that go on here at BuF, I would probably steer folks away from here too.
/TR;DR
