American Exceptionalism

Much has been made of « American exceptionalism », particularly since Obama’s presidency. You might recall that Obama (rightly) declined to affirm his belief in American exceptionalism, as the world’s greatest nation in every way, shape or form: I.e. the cant we regularly hear from Trump. I would like to venture into this vexed territory and say that in many ways…perhaps too many…the US is exceptional.

The United States has a wonderful constitution, except it chooses to ignore it.

The US, via its constitution, has a balance of powers: judicial, executive and legislative, except that it chooses to place all power into its current dictator, Trump.

The US has a professed rule of law except the laws are changed and ignored at the whims of Trump.

The US has a separation of church and state except that Trump and his MAGA devotees decide who is a true Christian or whatever.

The US professes to be one nation « under God » except that it worships Trump.

The US claims that there is « liberty and justice for all » except if you are a person of colour, have the « wrong » accent, are a woman, or are of any political persuasion except MAGA republican.

Trump claims to have detested Ayatollah Khamenei except that Trump is the mirror image of the deceased (murdered?) repressive theocrat.

This is far from an exhaustive list, but as you can easily see, the US is quite exceptional. It has become exceptionally violent, evil and untrustworthy. The rest of the world—particularly Greenland and Canada—can only worry and wonder when the exceptionalism comes their way.