Redefining American Exceptionalism
Let’s get something straight from the start: I love America.
I want the United States to be strong and even self sufficient. I want the people in this country to have the desire, and take action to help those in need worldwide.
What I find great about our country, is this is something we already do and in amounts that dwarf most other countries on the planet. I also believe the freedoms we all share (the ones that are still left) and the foundation of this country, make America exceptional.
photo Beverly & Pack
I believe in American Exceptionalism. We just need to understand what makes us so exceptional.
Americans are a charitable people.
It is one of the biggest untold stories and one that is intentionally left out. Foreign aid is one of the largest misconceptions in the media. Government sponsored foreign aid makes up only 20% of the monies that go to other countries in the form of aid.
As a total outlay, American private industry account for more aid to other countries than any other organization or country on the planet. The private sector in the United States in 2010 gave $166.2 billion to other countries. In comparison the United Kingdom was next giving $30.6 billion, France gave $22.6 billion and Canada gave $21.9 billion. If you include private organization investment in other countries, the private sector has given $326.4 billion to other countries because of investments $161.2 billion of private industry in foreign countries.
America is the “Land of Opportunity.”
The free enterprise system in America provides for the greatest opportunities for a better life then any other country. Any American or immigrant, has the ability succeed and provide for them and their family. This is not something provided by the government. It is provided by the ingenuity of the people.
Even in spite of all the regulations and government interference with this system, that will never stop it. The spirit and the opportunity for a better life here in our country is what drives people from around the world to immigrate here every year. We are the land where hard work and determination can lead to success. It has been that way since our founding and that principle is still found in our society today.
Inherent in our founding documents, we are a free people.
I would argue that allot of these freedoms have already been taken away but comparable to most other places on earth, we are still free as a people. It is that freedom that makes us exceptional. It is the American people’s propensity to protect those freedoms (at their own personal detriment) that makes this country a great place to live. The citizens of this nation, can and will, stand and fight for the rights of people they have never met. They will fight to the death for those protections. This is one of the greatest and most exceptional traits we have as a people.
These are the things that makes us great. The are misreported, hidden, misrepresented and eroded away by the government. The greatness and exceptionalism of the people that make up our country is nothing short of amazing. We are a good people who will take care of not only each other but people around the world.
photo Beverly & Pack
It is this example that can bring freedom to nations around the world.
Our leaders would have you think it is our military might or our force over other nations that would make us better than other countries. Our current foreign policy is about force. What is currently labeled as exceptionalism and spreading democracy around the world, is killing people. It’s a foreign policy that has had us in Iraq and Afghanistan for a decade on the idea that we can spread democracy at the end of a gun.
This is the same policy that gave a dictator $30 billion to create a military to control his own people. That somehow, it is in our best interest to build armies for dictators in Libya and places like them.
How is arming a military that is not ours in our best interest?
That military could just as easily be turned against us, and in most cases it has.
Our government uses unmanned areal drones, killing civilians as collateral damage. In fact, high level targets only account for only 2% of people killed by drone strikes in just Pakistan alone.
“TBIJ reports that from June 2004 through mid-September 2012, available data indicate that drone strikes killed 2,562 – 3,325 people in Pakistan, of whom 474 – 881 were civilians, including 176 children. TBIJ reports that these strikes also injured an additional 1,228 – 1,362 individuals,” according to the Stanford/NYU study.
We have been dealing with these dictators for decades, paying one off to not kill the other and vice versa.
We cannot continue the foreign policy that has gotten us into these endless wars and think that these bases and presence all over the world is what makes us exceptional. What would spread the message of freedom further? A charitable people bringing you food and water, or a drone strike?
Our charity and our way of life is what makes us great. Our influence should be our free trade without any government interference. Our exceptionalism is when the people of our country trade with the people of other countries as long as that trade is not forced on either side. Our freedom to live in a land of opportunity. This is what makes us great and that is the messaged that can change the world.
We need to make sure that we are always that land of opportunity and that anyone would come here with an idea and a dream and make it. That the government is there to secure the opportunity not take one from one and give to another. This was the vision of our founders.
Jefferson envisioned America becoming the world’s great “empire of liberty”–that is, the model for democracy and republicanism. He identified his nation as a beacon to the world, for, he said on departing the presidency in 1809, America was:
“Trusted with the destinies of this solitary republic of the world, the only monument of human rights, and the sole depository of the sacred fire of freedom and self-government, from hence it is to be lighted up in other regions of the earth, if other regions of the earth shall ever become susceptible of its benign influence.”
About the Author
Alex Snitker
As a United States Marine veteran, Alexander knows how to serve his country. That dedication to his country did not end when his service in the military ended, as he became the first Libertarian U.S. Senate candidate from the Great State of Florida. He learned many lessons in that time as a senate candidate and uses them daily to help other liberty candidates run for elected positions around the state.
Alex’s work in politics does not end with campaigns and he is a founding partner of the 1787 Network and co-host of the Liberty Underground radio show. He uses this platform to educate and empower individual to engage in the political process on the local level as well as bring his listeners the news and other important information that is missing in today’s media. He is deeply involved in the Libertarian Party of Florida and the Executive Director of the Save America Foundation.
Born in Iowa, Alex moved to Florida at a young age and grew up in New Port Richey. Today he still lives their with his wife Kelly and their son Michael. He is passionate about bringing liberty and constitutional principles back to the state that he has called home for so many years and where his family still remains. He is well known for his activism and lobbying efforts especially within the local area.
