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American Exceptionalism! Really?

I am starting to think the "idea of American exceptionalism", while it was a term originally used to describe the uniqueness of the American experiment in a republican form of government, and supported by a notion of unalienable rights, got co-opted very early on, and has been used as a tool for generating a global empire, military/industrial hegemony, and a patriotic-religious fervor that those in control of the wealth and economy of the nation have used to further their agendas. That Americans have blindly, if not willingly, supported administrations that have steadily moved away from the Constitution, and allowed the government to decide what its powers over them would be, would indicate that the notion of "exceptionalism", for what its worth, has turned out to be an empty concept. Americans are as willing as any people to be governed from the "top down", and have become increasingly dependent upon, and submitted to whatever schemes for our enslavement that the government can conceive. What is exceptional about that??? The criminal nature of government is as vibrant here as anywhere in the world, though the full extent of our government's tyranny has not yet come to full fruition. It will! That is the nature of government.
What is exceptional in the history of human affairs with their governments is seen when the people rise up and throw off their chains. At that very moment something exceptional happens, but then the process begins again. We could find an "exceptional moment" again, but it would require the courage and conviction that our Founders demonstrated when they threw off the English governance of the colonies, and formed a union. When Jefferson proclaimed "we have given you a republic....if you can keep it", he was expressing a fear. It would not be easy to keep. And, we have not kept it. The citizens of the States are not in control of their destinies, or their States. The Republic is dead. The central government is alive and well.
We can point to the Constitution and say "we were once exceptional", but we are no longer. We have turned out to be a "run of the mill" culture undergoing transformation into a fascist state. What is exceptional to me is that so many are willing to embrace the idea.

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Comment by donp on October 13, 2011 at 5:03pm: Thanks for this well reasoned comment Phil. My reply, as usual, didn't fit the provisions for a comment. Please see A Dissenting Opinion For Our Exceptionalism. Don

Comment by Steve's Worldview on October 13, 2011 at 1:38am: Great article and comments. I concur. The concept of American "exceptionalism" is a lie.

The Party is Over - It's Time to Wake Up!
Posted by Steve's Worldview on June 23, 2010 at 1:07pm in Our Republic/ Liberty & Constitutional Education
http://24hourpatriots.com/group/OurRepublic/forum/topics/the-party-...

Comment by Phillip J. Barker on October 12, 2011 at 9:21pm: Thank you, Gentlemen, for your responses. This subject of "exceptionalism" has troubled me for some time, and I have tried to think of how it can be honestly applied to the current state of our nation...I can't apply it!!! That I can't causes me great sadness, because another myth of my youth has been dispelled.

Comment by Wright Winger on October 12, 2011 at 8:25pm: Phillip.... I absolutely loved your thought provoking article.

Our latest parade of neoconservative presidential candidates have utilized the term frequently, but does it apply?

Does the fact that another entity controls foreign policy (AIPAC) include American Exceptionalism (in direct contradiction to the founder's)? Not to me?

Does the fact that we have gutted the 4th amendment through the so called 'Patriot Act' equal American exceptionalism? Not according to the Constitution.

Does a Central Bank (Federal Reserve) preserve our freedoms and wealth or enslave us generationally? Mountains of evidence link the latter, yet we have a "tea party" candidate (more than 1) advocating for it's continuance.

Phillip, you have stated this so well that I am not worthy of responding, I will only add it is something to aspire to... not something we currently have.

Rome was exceptional at one point too.................

Comment by Phillip J. Barker on October 12, 2011 at 8:05pm: Is there any defense of the concept of "American Exceptionalism" to be made???? I would love to hear one!!!!!

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