- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
Americans on American Exceptionalism
Posted on 7/24/26 at 7:21 am
Posted on 7/24/26 at 7:21 am
quote:
Americans on American Exceptionalism
by Karlyn Bowman, Nicole Penn
June 17, 2026
In an appearance at the White House press briefing on May 5, Secretary of State Marco Rubio was asked by a reporter about his hopes for the future of the country. In an eloquent, off-the-cuff response, Rubio said this:“[America] is a unique and exceptional country. And as we come upon this 250-year anniversary, I think we have a lot to learn and be proud of in our history. It is one of perpetual and continuous improvement, where each generation has done its part to bring us closer to fulfilling the vision that the founders of this country had upon its founding.”
Several questions in AEI’s new America at 250 survey touch on the idea of American exceptionalism, including one that asks people which of two views comes closer to their own. In the survey, 65 percent chose “The US is a unique country that stands for something special in the world,” while 32 percent chose “The US is just another country whose political system is no better or worse than other countries.” In another question, 75 percent agreed that “America is not perfect, but we have made substantial progress in addressing past wrongs such as slavery.” 65 percent said it was important for the US to have public discussions of the country’s historical failures and flaws.
In another question, a virtually identical 66 percent said it was important for the country to discuss historical successes and strengths. See the full report here.
LINK
7
Posted on 7/24/26 at 7:24 am to NC_Tigah
America was exceptional.
We're still living off that exceptionalism.
Trump did what he could. But, it will be running out pretty soon.
Thanks a lot, socialists.
We're still living off that exceptionalism.
Trump did what he could. But, it will be running out pretty soon.
Thanks a lot, socialists.
This post was edited on 7/24/26 at 7:29 am
Posted on 7/24/26 at 7:24 am to NC_Tigah
quote:
It is one of perpetual and continuous improvement, where each generation has done its part to bring us closer to fulfilling the vision that the founders of this country had upon its founding
Yet know one asked him about this "vision" that has not been fulfilled. It would have caused him to go fetal.
Posted on 7/24/26 at 7:29 am to NC_Tigah
Objective American history needs to be taught. It's important that we teach both the good and the bad. If you do, people will see how far we have come and the rights people take for granted, would not be possible for sacrifices brave Americans made.
Posted on 7/24/26 at 7:29 am to Tigergreg
Well said.
Posted on 7/24/26 at 9:09 am to theballguy
quote:
Trump did what he could. But, it will be running out pretty soon.
There is a huge difference between "American Exceptionalism", which was a prominent factor in Reagan's administration, and "America First", which Trump promotes.
"American Exceptionalism" recognizes that America is qualitatively different in being founded on the ideas of liberty, democracy, and the recognition of natural human rights, AND that America should be a leader in promoting and exporting those ideas abroad.
"America First" rejects the second part of the above.
Posted on 7/24/26 at 9:14 am to theballguy
I’ve never heard a MAGA proponent I’ve an adequate explanation (with evidence) as to why America is no longer great. The country still is exceptional and leads the world in every meaningful metric.
Posted on 7/24/26 at 9:37 am to VOR
quote:
leads the world in every meaningful metric.
Like education?
Posted on 7/24/26 at 9:42 am to VOR
quote:Except for Democrat platform claims that the US is .... wait4it
The country still is exceptional and leads the world in every meaningful metric.
• racist
• fascist
• xenophobic
• chauvinistic
• toxic masculinity abounds
• the wealthy don't pay their fair share
• wealth concentration at the expense of the masses
• offers no opportunity for young people
• doing nothing for poverty
• providing terrible healthcare
• no one can afford a house
• tariffs are terrible
• supporting AI, which is terrible
• led by OMB
• hated by the entire world
• beholden to the Jews
etc. etc. etc.
Posted on 7/24/26 at 9:43 am to theballguy
quote:
America was exceptional.
List the countries you currently think are exceptional. I'll help you look for cheap flights.
Posted on 7/24/26 at 9:54 am to LawTalkingGuy
quote:
There is a huge difference between "American Exceptionalism", which was a prominent factor in Reagan's administration, and "America First", which Trump promotes.
"American Exceptionalism" recognizes that America is qualitatively different in being founded on the ideas of liberty, democracy, and the recognition of natural human rights, AND that America should be a leader in promoting and exporting those ideas abroad.
"America First" rejects the second part of the above.
I think I agree with what I believe you're trying to say here, but I disagree in the specific way you've communicated it. I don't think "America first" rejects anything about American exceptionalism. America first should mean exactly what it implies: take care of your own issues first. And that, I believe, is Trump's agenda.
The problem is that there is a large faction among the republican base who seem to interpret America first as America only. That interpretation is what rejects the second part of what you said. Trump's foreign policy suggests to me that he absolutely wants to export our culture abroad, otherwise why is he going so far to try to deal with these dictators and terrorists? Why doesn't he just do what so many want him to do, which is to just sit around and wait for the world to crumble around us?
So I agree with you if you're referring to isolationist group on the right, but I don't think that their beliefs are consistent with what Trump means by America first. Simply put, isolationism is the problem, in my opinion.
Posted on 7/24/26 at 9:57 am to LawTalkingGuy
Well said.
Posted on 7/24/26 at 10:01 am to NC_Tigah
Regardless of politics the most exceptional thing about America is our geography. We're impossible to militarily invade and conquer. That's why our enemies want American people to overthrow our govt and become fellow commies.
Posted on 7/24/26 at 10:05 am to theballguy
Since you downvoted me (and that's ok), could you tell me what you disagreed with? I like intelligent discussion, and am always curious as to why people think what they do.
Posted on 7/24/26 at 10:25 am to LawTalkingGuy
quote:I think you've got that backwards. America First is about offering greater opportunity for American exceptionalism, domestic entrepreneurialism, and self generated success.
"America First" rejects the second part of the above.
American exceptionalism saved the world in the 1940s and 1950s. Through the 1950s and 1960s, American exceptionalism granted the rest of the world a piggyback ride. We did that by allowing unequal trade barriers, which enabled horribly damaged World War II economies to recover.
It was our gift to the world.
But as with any favor extended long enough, the favor becomes an expectation. Over time, as we voluntarily ceded capacity to overseas competitors, that expectation became a drag on American performance. Simultaneously, it became a foreign expectation.
It is possible in addition to generational attitudinal differences, that we are witnessing components of the 'drag' (Ross Perot's "great sucking sound") manifested in complaints from GenY and GenZ. Compensating for it, and/or correcting it, will reinvigorate domestic opportunity and exceptionalism.
Posted on 7/24/26 at 10:27 am to NC_Tigah
quote:
It is one of perpetual and continuous improvement, where each generation has done its part to bring us closer to fulfilling the vision that the founders of this country had upon its founding.”
This has to be from the Onion.
Our rights erode more and more with each administration.
Posted on 7/24/26 at 10:28 am to UtahCajun
quote:
Like education?
And cost of healthare
Posted on 7/24/26 at 10:46 am to NC_Tigah
quote:
I think you've got that backwards. America First is about offering greater opportunity for American exceptionalism, domestic entrepreneurialism, and self generated success.
American exceptionalism saved the world in the 1940s and 1950s. Through the 1950s and 1960s, American exceptionalism granted the rest of the world a piggyback ride. We did that by allowing unequal trade barriers, which enabled horribly damaged World War II economies to recover.
It was our gift to the world.
But as with any favor extended long enough, the favor becomes an expectation. Over time, as we voluntarily ceded capacity to overseas competitors, that expectation became a drag on American performance. Simultaneously, it became a foreign expectation.
It is possible in addition to generational attitudinal differences, that we are witnessing components of the 'drag' (Ross Perot's "great sucking sound") manifested in complaints from GenY and GenZ. Compensating for it, and/or correcting it, will reinvigorate domestic opportunity and exceptionalism
It's almost as if we shifted from WE are an exceptional people to there are exceptional individuals that happen to live in America. It's almost like currently, America is only exceptional because Trump and Elon Musk live here (or insert any other wealthy celebrity of your liking). We are no longer a country that values morals or principles. We value wealth, celebrity and owning the opposition on social media.
Posted on 7/24/26 at 10:48 am to LawTalkingGuy
quote:
There is a huge difference between "American Exceptionalism", which was a prominent factor in Reagan's administration, and "America First", which Trump promotes.
"American Exceptionalism" recognizes that America is qualitatively different in being founded on the ideas of liberty, democracy, and the recognition of natural human rights, AND that America should be a leader in promoting and exporting those ideas abroad.
"America First" rejects the second part of the above.
That is correct. American Exceptionalism won the Cold War by showing the world something better than communism/socialism.
Posted on 7/24/26 at 10:52 am to RedSoloSpitCup
quote:
American Exceptionalism won the Cold War by showing the world something better than communism/socialism
Judging by much of the world today, I might say we did not win that long term
Page 1 of 3
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News