CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
I'm a news junkie. And like most news junkies I spend a good deal of my free time reading newspapers or browsing the Internet. From what I've read lately, there seems to be a tangible sense of growing concern bordering on panic about the direction in which our country is headed. From the presidential election to the mess on Wall Street, many of the talking heads and so-called experts have been reaching for the panic button.
I recently came across a few online articles that reminded me of a concept I learned about many years ago in school. It's called American Exceptionalism. Basically it is the belief that, as a country, the United States differs from all other nations because we are "an association of people who come from numerous places throughout the world but who hold a common bond in belief in certain values, like democracy, the rule of law, civil liberty, the common good, fair play, human rights, private property and Constitutional government." Another way to think of it is "the slow yet continuous journey of the people of the United States, sharing a nation and a destiny, to build a more perfect union, to live up to the dreams, hopes and ideals of its founders."
At face value, this may not sound like a very interesting or controversial topic. So why talk about it? This topic has become important to me because much has been written lately about how American Exceptionalism is coming to an end. Some have said this nation has lost its way. However, I believe nothing could be farther from the truth. As a nation, we are not perfect. We have made mistakes in the past and will most likely make mistakes in the future. Regardless, this nation, unlike any other, has been the greatest force for freedom and democracy that the world has ever known throughout its history.
First, we lead by our example here at home. The rights and freedoms we enjoy in our democracy are the broadest in the world. Freedom of speech, freedom of religion and a free press are just a few. This week in particular, we exercised one of the rights that makes this country great -- the right to vote. We chose our new government. Millions worldwide watched as we exercised a level of freedom about which they can only dream.
Secondly, we lead by how we conduct ourselves in world affairs. It has been said that you can learn much about a person by how they treat others. To a great extent, this is true of nations as well. As I've said, we've made mistakes in the past and probably will again in the future. There still are, and probably always will be, issues on which we disagree with our allies. But nations that have stood with us in the cause of freedom have found no greater friend. Tyrants and dictators that have stood against us have found no greater foe.
I believe American Exceptionalism is alive and well. We are still a nation of people from diverse backgrounds who believe in freedom, democracy and the rule of law. I believe we are still marching forward in our journey to form a more perfect union. This nation is like any family. We disagree. We argue. We bicker. However, when faced with a challenge, we bond together like no other. By the time this article is printed, the presidential election will have been decided. Once again our government will change. No matter what your beliefs, no matter what candidate you supported, we are all still a family. And one thing remains the same -- this family and this nation is still the greatest force for freedom and democracy the world has ever seen.