Are Americans "exceptional"

[Captain Obvious]

Are/were, Americans exceptional and if so, why? And if not, why?

Discuss

Poll is not public.

[Matty]

I don't know about the rest of yays but I am most definitely exceptional

[Captain Obvious]

I don't know about the rest of yays but I am most definitely exceptional

Yes you are, Matty

[Ethereal]

Not at all. The US is just like any other military empire in history. It is a political system whose organizing principle is violence and fear, run by an avaricious kleptocracy. Simply put, it's just the nth iteration of the systematic gangsterism known euphemistically as the "state". And we know it's not exceptional because the pillars of statism - taxation, FIAT money, central banking, militarism, sprawling bureaucracies, martial law - have been recycled over and over again for over ten thousand years by every despotic regime in history, from the Egyptian "pharaohs" to the Nazi "chancellors". The US government is only nominally different in that regard, so they can hardly be considered "exceptional".

[Dr. Who]

Define exceptional in the context of your OP.

[Captain Obvious]

Define exceptional in the context of your OP.

In it's contemporary sense, really nothing more or less than that.

[Dr. Who]

In it's contemporary sense, really nothing more or less than that.
The word has different meanings depending on context. Are you referring to American exceptionalism or are you suggesting America is exceptional because it differs historically from Europe?

[Captain Obvious]

The word has different meanings depending on context. Are you referring to American exceptionalism or are you suggesting America is exceptional because it differs historically from Europe?

American exceptionalism

[Mark III]

I assume you mean the "ideal" American who is ALWAYS honest, brave, fair, intelligent, curious, compassionate, and determined. Yes, such people are exceptional, because they hardly exist.

Otherwise, no, Americans are no more exceptional than anyone else. They are more fortunate than others though having been born into a generally and relatively prosperous country.

[Mark III]

Not at all. The US is just like any other military empire in history. It is a political system whose organizing principle is violence and fear, run by an avaricious kleptocracy. Simply put, it's just the nth iteration of the systematic gangsterism known euphemistically as the "state". And we know it's not exceptional because the pillars of statism - taxation, FIAT money, central banking, militarism, sprawling bureaucracies, martial law - have been recycled over and over again for over ten thousand years by every despotic regime in history, from the Egyptian "pharaohs" to the Nazi "chancellors". The US government is only nominally different in that regard, so they can hardly be considered "exceptional".

If your preferred political philosophy is so freaking good, where is it ? In practice.

[Dr. Who]

American exceptionalism
I think that the notion is arrogant on it's face. America is no different than any other nation in terms of identifying that which would most benefit itself.

There was a time when America's ideology ran counter to the staid and traditional attitudes of Europe, but much has transpired since that time. Europe is increasingly also becoming a land of immigrants from all parts of the world.

America is now just exceptionally conceited, but some of the tenets that once made America positively exceptional are now becoming ubiquitous in Europe. Furthermore, the individualism that once drove the American economy has been lost to globalist enterprise, so America is now just as subservient, or even more subservient, to global oligarchies than the rest of the west. If anything, it's people have even less representation than the Europeans, given the bias against third parties. America is well on the road to becoming the poster child for One World Order under the direction of global oligarchies and people will argue indefinitely about the relative merits of the two elitist parties who at the end of the day have distinctions without a difference, until one day they fuse into one great oligarchy party that will be all things to all people and in reality take advantage of the declining political intelligence of the population.

[zelmo1234]

Well there is a lot of reasons to believe that America is no different than anywhere else and the more we slip into moral decline the more we become like anyone else.

But a picture of the world without America would be a sad picture indeed. The generosity of the country is unmatched in the history of the world.

Twice the industrial and military might has kept the world from slipping into darkness.

Yes we have a high percentage of our citizens that no longer want to pull there weight

Yes we have made mistakes in our past.

But I can't think of another nations that has fought and won wars, only to return those lands to the people of those countries.

People point to the sin of slavery, but there is not country that does not have that in there past. And 600,000 Americans gave their lives to end it.

Those that do not see American Exceptionalism? Shame on you.

To the education system that teachers that America is cruel? Shame on you.

But I fear that the further that the USA moves away from God, the more unexceptional we will become.

[Newpublius]

American exxeptionalism is grounded in the idea that the concept of being American is based on an idea rather than an ethnicity, its further thought that American institutions are qualitatively better. The first is kindve true though not exclusive to the US, the latter changed in the New Deal and actually cooperative federalism isn't only unexceptional, I think it's downright bad

[Green Arrow]

No. We are human. No more, no less. Existing inside a particular border doesn't make us any more exceptional at being human than existing anywhere else.

[William]

Are Americans 'exceptional'? Of course they are - in exactly the same way Frenchmen, Brits, Aussies, Germans, Canadians, and Syrians are, but only in the sense that all nationalities are different and therefore not typical.

Are Americans exceptional in the sense of being well above average or of extraordinary high quality? Of course not - no entire nation is, but there are extraordinary individuals in every society, and just as many in the US.

This is what an American site had to say about 'American Exceptionalism'. :grin:


Over the last two centuries, prominent Americans have described the United States as an "empire of liberty," a "shining city on a hill," the "last best hope of Earth," the "leader of the free world," and the "indispensable nation." These enduring tropes explain why all presidential candidates feel compelled to offer ritualistic paeans to America’s greatness and why President Barack Obama landed in hot water — most recently, from Mitt Romney — for saying that while he believed in "American exceptionalism," it was no different from "British exceptionalism," "Greek exceptionalism," or any other country’s brand of patriotic chest-thumping.

Most statements of "American exceptionalism" presume that America’s values, political system, and history are unique and worthy of universal admiration. They also imply that the United States is both destined and entitled to play a distinct and positive role on the world stage.

The only thing wrong with this self-congratulatory portrait of America’s global role is that it is mostly a myth. Although the United States possesses certain unique qualities — from high levels of religiosity to a political culture that privileges individual freedom — the conduct of U.S. foreign policy has been determined primarily by its relative power and by the inherently competitive nature of international politics. By focusing on their supposedly exceptional qualities, Americans blind themselves to the ways that they are a lot like everyone else.

This unchallenged faith in American exceptionalism makes it harder for Americans to understand why others are less enthusiastic about U.S. dominance, often alarmed by U.S. policies, and frequently irritated by what they see as U.S. hypocrisy, whether the subject is possession of nuclear weapons, conformity with international law, or America’s tendency to condemn the conduct of others while ignoring its own failings. Ironically, U.S. foreign policy would probably be more effective if Americans were less convinced of their own unique virtues and less eager to proclaim them.
http://foreignpolicy.com/2011/10/11/the-myth-of-american-exceptionalism/

[William]

But a picture of the world without America would be a sad picture indeed. The generosity of the country is unmatched in the history of the world.

Ummm ... not totally.


Official development assistance by country as a percentage of Gross National Income in 2013

Norway – 1.07%
Sweden – 1.02%
Luxembourg – 1.00%
Denmark – 0.85%
United Kingdom – 0.72%
Netherlands – 0.67%
Finland – 0.55%
Switzerland – 0.47%
Belgium – 0.45%
Ireland – 0.45%
France – 0.41%
Germany – 0.38%
Australia – 0.34%
Austria – 0.28%
Canada – 0.27%
New Zealand – 0.26%
Iceland – 0.26%
Japan – 0.23%
Portugal – 0.23%
United States – 0.19%
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_governments_by_development_aid


Twice the industrial and military might has kept the world from slipping into darkness.

If you are talking about the two world wars - they were not won by the US alone.


Yes we have made mistakes in our past.

But I can't think of another nations that has fought and won wars, only to return those lands to the people of those countries.

Again, if you are talking about the world wars - try Great Britain and all the Commonwealth countries.


People point to the sin of slavery, but there is not country that does not have that in there past. And 600,000 Americans gave their lives to end it.

Not since Roman times has there been slavery on the British Isles, and neither did New Zealand nor Australia have slavery in their history. Not sure about Canada, but there has been no slavery in Europe since Viking times. And 600,000 Americans gave their lives to preserve the Union - in 1861, Abraham Lincoln wrote to Horace Greely: "...If I could save the Union without freeing any slave I would do it, and if I could save it by freeing all the slaves I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing some and leaving others alone, I would also do that...." It was all about preserving the Union, not about freeing the slaves.


Those that do not see American Exceptionalism? Shame on you.

To the education system that teachers that America is cruel? Shame on you.

But I fear that the further that the USA moves away from God, the more unexceptional we will become.

:huh: :huh: :huh:

[Mac-7]

I think that the notion is arrogant on it's face. America is no different than any other nation in terms of identifying that which would most benefit itself.

There was a time when America's ideology ran counter to the staid and traditional attitudes of Europe, but much has transpired since that time. Europe is increasingly also becoming a land of immigrants from all parts of the world.

America is now just exceptionally conceited, but some of the tenets that once made America positively exceptional are now becoming ubiquitous in Europe. Furthermore, the individualism that once drove the American economy has been lost to globalist enterprise, so America is now just as subservient, or even more subservient, to global oligarchies than the rest of the west. If anything, it's people have even less representation than the Europeans, given the bias against third parties. America is well on the road to becoming the poster child for One World Order under the direction of global oligarchies and people will argue indefinitely about the relative merits of the two elitist parties who at the end of the day have distinctions without a difference, until one day they fuse into one great oligarchy party that will be all things to all people and in reality take advantage of the declining political intelligence of the population.

I can understand free internet porn addicts and children in Australia failing to understand how and why America is special.

But know-it-all moderate-centrist-third way persons who should know better?

thats shocking

what i am reading here are the hopes of unCompnservatives and foreigners that Ametica will soon fall from its status of superiority and become what they wish it to be.

[Peter1469]

Nationalism is good; of course America is exceptional. :smiley:

[Safety]

I'm American, and I consider America exceptional, so yes I think Americans are exceptional. I'm not berating citizens in other countries as being non-exceptional, this is just my personal opinion.

[Common]

Your goddamn right America is exceptioal weve accomplished more that any other country in known history in so short of an existence, weve done in 230 yrs what others havent done in centuries.
Americans have saved and helped more people that other countries. America develops life saving drugs others do not and cannot, weve made medical advances that save millions of people.

Know what any of you hobos dont like america GTFO and I mean it. I get real tired of america bashing, if its that bad you should have no problem finding some place much better to live.
We certainly have our failings and we certainly make mistakes but if you add up the plus's and minus's were way on the plus side.

[AeonPax]

`
I believe in "American Exceptionalism" as defined by the man who coined the phrase; Alexis de Tocqueville (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexis_de_Tocqueville).

[Mac-7]

`
I believe in "American Exceptionalism" as defined by the man who coined the phrase; Alexis de Tocqueville (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexis_de_Tocqueville).

Well done.

and alex was not an American saying that.

[William]

Well, I dunno, and can never know, about 330 million people, but even though I didn't think I should vote I - I think the Americans on this site are exceptional, cos despite the chest-thumping nationalism of a few members here, the poll show a majority of Americans on an American forum saying Americans are not exceptional. Can't say fairer than that - you are awesome! :thumbsup20:

[William]

I'm American, and I consider America exceptional, so yes I think Americans are exceptional. I'm not berating citizens in other countries as being non-exceptional, this is just my personal opinion.

Lol, that's like saying "I'm the best - but I'm not saying you aren't as good as me." Not totally logical. :grin:

[domer76]

I don't know about the rest of yays but I am most definitely exceptional

"Special" is more appropriate.

[Safety]

Lol, that's like saying "I'm the best - but I'm not saying you aren't as good as me." Not totally logical. :grin:

You are free to quantify it as you see fit, but my personal opinion is not up for debate. If I say my child is exceptional in my eyes, nobody can dispute it....now if I say my child is more exceptional than your child, then you have a position to open a debate on it.

[Safety]

Well, I dunno, and can never know, about 330 million people, but even though I didn't think I should vote I - I think the Americans on this site are exceptional, cos despite the chest-thumping nationalism of a few members here, the poll show a majority of Americans on an American forum saying Americans are not exceptional. Can't say fairer than that - you are awesome! :thumbsup20:

Except for a couple of caveats....one, this my be an American forum, however, it isn't closed to non-americans; two, this wasn't a public poll, so one has no idea how many, if any, Americans actually voted in said poll.

To assume that because the current vote tally is 5 to 7 in favor of Americans being non-exceptional, I would think it's illogical to assume any sort of objective decision could be made from such a limited sample size and methodology. :grin:

[William]

Nationalism is good; of course America is exceptional. :smiley:

Yeppers - nationalism has been great throughout history.

Like where would the world have been without the wisdom and compassion of -

Chiang Kai-shek and the Kuomintang

Herr Hitler and his Nationalsozialismus

Benito Mussolini and his Fascisti

Tojo Hideki

The military junta of General Augusto Pinochet

Senator McCarthy

Afrikaner Volkseenheid

Sir Oswald Mosley and the British Union of Fascists

Benito Mussolini and his Fascisti

Francisco Franco

António de Oliveira Salazar

Fulgencio Batista

and let's not forget good ole Ollie Cromwell.

All great examples of the benefits of nationalism. :grin:

[Tahuyaman]

People know longer understand what the term "American exceptinalism" means any more. Our current president doesn't even get it.

[Beevee]

Of course they are exceptional. Especially in believing what they are told while at the same time claiming they have the ability to spot propaganda.

[William]

Except for a couple of caveats....one, this my be an American forum, however, it isn't closed to non-americans; two, this wasn't a public poll, so one has no idea how many, if any, Americans actually voted in said poll.

Well, I already said I didn't vote, and I don't know of many other non-Americans here, so the balance of probability is it was mostly Americans who voted. And I was paying you (the Americans here) a compliment - why don't you just accept it? :wink:


To assume that because the current vote tally is 5 to 7 in favor of Americans being non-exceptional, I would think it's illogical to assume any sort of objective decision could be made from such a limited sample size and methodology. :grin:

I already said I don't know how most of the 330 million Americans feel, but those who responded to the poll voted 'no' in the majority. That's to whom I was paying the compliment. Sorry if you weren't one of them. :grin:

[Peter1469]

Yeppers - nationalism has been great throughout history.

Like where would the world have been without the wisdom and compassion of -

Chiang Kai-shek and the Kuomintang

Herr Hitler and his Nationalsozialismus

Benito Mussolini and his Fascisti

Tojo Hideki

The military junta of General Augusto Pinochet

Senator McCarthy

Afrikaner Volkseenheid

Sir Oswald Mosley and the British Union of Fascists

Benito Mussolini and his Fascisti

Francisco Franco

António de Oliveira Salazar

Fulgencio Batista

and let's not forget good ole Ollie Cromwell.

All great examples of the benefits of nationalism. :grin:

Nationalism is a few hundred years old and isn't going away soon. The Olympics proves that. If nationalism were dead there would be no teams based on nation.

All of your examples are of extreme nationalism- everything can be taken too far.

[Tahuyaman]

Nationalism is a few hundred years old and isn't going away soon. The Olympics proves that. If nationalism were dead there would be no teams based on nation.

All of your examples are of extreme nationalism- everything can be taken too far.

Too many people today try to represent the extremes as the norm.

[William]

Nationalism is a few hundred years old and isn't going away soon. The Olympics proves that. If nationalism were dead there would be no teams based on nation.

All of your examples are of extreme nationalism- everything can be taken too far.

Well, nationalism is just another form of tribalism, and why do we have to have teams based on our tribes? Why can't we have sports teams based on something other than our neighbourhood, our home town, or our country. I have much more in common with someone else who likes to play cricket than with some stranger who happens to have been born in the UK, or live in Australia.

So, I don't agree that nationalism in itself is automatically a good thing, and I was pointing out where that sort of attitude can lead. The minute nationalism takes over, you have dopey peer pressure and stupid words like anti-American, or anti-Australian, like being either American or Australian is the same thing as being right or good. Like what's the easiest way to get people to do what they might not otherwise do? Make out that they are not being part of the team, or part of the tribe, and shame them that way. I've seen that at my school but I just tell them to feck off - I'm an Australian cos I live in Australia, not cos I am desperate to run with the herd, and to be accepted that way.

[Tahuyaman]

Some concepts are too complicated for some to understand.

[William]

Some concepts are too complicated for some to understand.

Fair 'nuff! But maybe if you try a bit harder you might understand. :grin:

[Tahuyaman]

Fair 'nuff! But maybe if you try a bit harder you might understand. :grin:

when I don't understand a particular subject, I do what I can to remedy that. I seek out more than one authority on the subject and study what they have to say about the subject.

It works, you should try it.

[texan]

Are/were, Americans exceptional and if so, why? And if not, why?

Discuss

Poll is not public.

Have you taken a look around?

[Tahuyaman]

I suspect that the OP doesn't understand the term "American Exceptionalism".

[Peter1469]

Well, nationalism is just another form of tribalism, and why do we have to have teams based on our tribes? Why can't we have sports teams based on something other than our neighbourhood, our home town, or our country. I have much more in common with someone else who likes to play cricket than with some stranger who happens to have been born in the UK, or live in Australia.

So, I don't agree that nationalism in itself is automatically a good thing, and I was pointing out where that sort of attitude can lead. The minute nationalism takes over, you have dopey peer pressure and stupid words like anti-American, or anti-Australian, like being either American or Australian is the same thing as being right or good. Like what's the easiest way to get people to do what they might not otherwise do? Make out that they are not being part of the team, or part of the tribe, and shame them that way. I've seen that at my school but I just tell them to feck off - I'm an Australian cos I live in Australia, not cos I am desperate to run with the herd, and to be accepted that way.
My position is that nationalism not taken to an extreme is good and will last so long as the Nation State is the way the international community organizes itself.

[Cigar]

Are/were, Americans exceptional and if so, why? And if not, why?

Discuss

Poll is not public.

Define Americans, who are you excluding? The typical group of people? :laugh:

[Tahuyaman]

I would be cautiously interested in hearing what Cigar believes "American Exceotionalism" means.

[William]

My position is that nationalism not taken to an extreme is good and will last so long as the Nation State is the way the international community organizes itself.

Cool, I can live with that. :wink:

[Cigar]

We do have Exceptional GOP Candidates :rofl::rofl::rofl:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CWZ3c4kWIAIcym-.jpg

“When I stand across from King Hussein of Jordan,
I say to him you have a friend sir who will stand with you to fight this fight.”

— Gov. Chris Christie, quoted by ABC News, arguing that President Obama is not trusted by world leaders. The only problem is that Hussein has been dead since 1999.

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/chris-christie-hell-trusted-dead-king-jordan/story?id=35785558

[Cigar]

I would be cautiously interested in hearing what @Cigar (http://thepoliticalforums.com/member.php?u=294) believes "American Exceotionalism" means.

When using the The Word Exceptional, I try limit it to individuals.

[Common Sense]

Some Americans are more exceptional than others.

[Tahuyaman]

I would be cautiously interested in hearing what @Cigar (http://thepoliticalforums.com/member.php?u=294) believes "American Exceotionalism" means.


When using the The Word Exceptional, I try limit it to individuals.

I knew he was unfamiliar with its meaning.

[Tahuyaman]

We do have Exceptional GOP Candidates :rofl::rofl::rofl:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CWZ3c4kWIAIcym-.jpg

“When I stand across from King Hussein of Jordan,
I say to him you have a friend sir who will stand with you to fight this fight.”

— Gov. Chris Christie, quoted by ABC News, arguing that President Obama is not trusted by world leaders. The only problem is that Hussein has been dead since 1999.

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/chris-christie-hell-trusted-dead-king-jordan/story?id=35785558

I saw Christie address this yesterday. It was humorous the way he did it.

[Cigar]

I saw Christie address this yesterday. It was humorous the way he did it.

What about him demanding Russia adhere to a No-Fly Zone over Syria? :laugh:

Is Christie aware that Russia has had a Navy Ship Yard in Syria since WWII? :tongue:

[Cigar]

Some Americans are more exceptional than others.

True ... but that doesn't make them more American, that may just make them an exceptional individual who happens to be an American Citizen.

[Tahuyaman]

What about him demanding Russia adhere to a No-Fly Zone over Syria? :laugh:

Is Christie aware that Russia has had a Navy Ship Yard in Syria since WWII? :tongue:

This thread isn't remotely about Chris Christie.

Do you know what the term "American Exceptionism" means?

[Cigar]

I knew he was unfamiliar with its meaning.

Well I also think my Corvette is Exceptional compared to a Mustang :laugh:

I think my Wife is Exceptional ... for me. :laugh:

I enjoy an Exceptional Cigar and Exceptional Bourbon :grin:

[Cigar]

This thread isn't remotely about Chris Christie.

Do you know what the term "American Exceptionism" means?

It's has NEVER been Important to me, so I personally don't give a Sh!t

[Tahuyaman]

He argues about a term he doesn't even know the meaning of.

[Cigar]

He argues about a term he doesn't even know the meaning of.

Who's arguing?

I told you how I define it. I don't give a sh!t how you want to define it.

See how this works? Welcome to 2015, we've been waiting for you to show up.

[Tahuyaman]

Who's arguing?

I told you how I define it. I don't give a sh!t how you want to define it.

See how this works? Welcome to 2015, we've been waiting for you to show up.

right. It's obvious the meaning of the term is foreign to you.

[Cigar]

right. It's obvious the meaning of the term is foreign to you.

It's obvious the meaning of the term is important to you.

[Tahuyaman]

It's obvious the meaning of the term is important to you.

it kind of is important. It's too bad you are too uniformed or uneducated to understand what it means and why it's important.

[Cigar]

it kind of is important. It's too bad you are too uniformed or uneducated to understand what it means and why it's important.

Well I guess I'll have to suffer through it. :laugh:

I still don't understand why what I think is so important to you?

I already told you what I think about American Exceptionalizems :rollseyes:... it's not important to me and it's not important to me that you agree with it.

[Tahuyaman]

Generally, if you disagree with me, I am right. Generally if you think something is unimportant, in reality it is important.

[Green Arrow]

Your goddamn right America is exceptioal weve accomplished more that any other country in known history in so short of an existence, weve done in 230 yrs what others havent done in centuries.
Americans have saved and helped more people that other countries. America develops life saving drugs others do not and cannot, weve made medical advances that save millions of people.

Know what any of you hobos dont like america GTFO and I mean it. I get real tired of america bashing, if its that bad you should have no problem finding some place much better to live.
We certainly have our failings and we certainly make mistakes but if you add up the plus's and minus's were way on the plus side.

I get tired of hearing I'm "bashing" America just because I don't get wet every time I think about it.

[Cigar]

Generally, if you disagree with me, I am right. Generally if you think something is unimportant, in reality it is important.

Ok ... this has turned in to a 3 year old Girls Thread. :thinking::smilie_thud::wave:

[Tahuyaman]

Your lack of thoughtfulness is staggering.

[domer76]

when I don't understand a particular subject, I do what I can to remedy that. I seek out more than one authority on the subject and study what they have to say about the subject.

It works, you should try it.

lol

[Tahuyaman]

when I don't understand a particular subject, I do what I can to remedy that. I seek out more than one authority on the subject and study what they have to say about the subject.

It works, you should try it.


lol

I'm not surprised that you think studying a subject and seeking information is funny.

[Mac-7]

Who's arguing?

I told you how I define it. I don't give a sh!t how you want to define it.

See how this works? Welcome to 2015, we've been waiting for you to show up.

Black obama worshipers will hate America as long as whites are the majority.

if Ametica is great it is largely because the white majority made it so and the coalition of agrieved minorities cant have that.

[Beevee]

Black obama worshipers will hate America as long as whites are the majority.

if Ametica is great it is largely because the white majority made it so and the coalition of agrieved minorities cant have that.

So you are finally accepting the British made you what you are today? That's progress!

[Mac-7]

So you are finally accepting the British made you what you are today? That's progress!

Brits, germans, french, euros of all kinds contributed to the success of America.

but we became much more than the sum of our parts.

[PolWatch]

I get tired of hearing I'm "bashing" America just because I don't get wet every time I think about it.

That is the attitude that I remember from the publicity campaign GWB ran to convince America that we needed to invade Iraq. Anyone who had questions was attacked as un-American....any nation that didn't follow blindly was called cowardly. We couldn't even order French fries.

[Cigar]

Black obama worshipers will hate America as long as whites are the majority.

if Ametica is great it is largely because the white majority made it so and the coalition of agrieved minorities cant have that.

Glad that's coming to end soon

[Ethereal]

Again, if you are talking about the world wars - try Great Britain and all the Commonwealth countries.

And Russia.

[Ethereal]

Well, nationalism is just another form of tribalism...

I would disagree with that. Tribalism is actually based on organic factors like common values, shared interests, and proximity. Nationalism, at least, in the majority of cases, is based on nothing more than artificial factors like coercion, intimidation, disparate collectivism, and other things totally divorced from the natural communal basis of a tribe. Other than that, you make some very good points.

[Ethereal]

That is the attitude that I remember from the publicity campaign GWB ran to convince America that we needed to invade Iraq. Anyone who had questions was attacked as un-American....any nation that didn't follow blindly was called cowardly. We couldn't even order French fries.

And it's ironic because Republicans love to claim they are the defenders of things like rugged individualism and independent thought, but they turn into the most aggressive, mindless collectivists and conformists whenever their party agenda is challenged.

[Mac-7]

Glad that's coming to end soon

The end to America's greatness?

you and the half American must be so pleased.

[PolWatch]

And it's ironic because Republicans love to claim they are the defenders of things like rugged individualism and independent thought, but they turn into the most aggressive, mindless collectivists and conformists whenever their party agenda is challenged.

I think that behavior is practiced by partisans of any flavor. They practice the adult version of teenage peer pressure....if you don't go along with the party line you can't eat lunch at the cool kids table.

[Adelaide]

Ummm ... not totally.


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_governments_by_development_aid



If you are talking about the two world wars - they were not won by the US alone.



Again, if you are talking about the world wars - try Great Britain and all the Commonwealth countries.



Not since Roman times has there been slavery on the British Isles, and neither did New Zealand nor Australia have slavery in their history. Not sure about Canada, but there has been no slavery in Europe since Viking times. And 600,000 Americans gave their lives to preserve the Union - in 1861, Abraham Lincoln wrote to Horace Greely: "...If I could save the Union without freeing any slave I would do it, and if I could save it by freeing all the slaves I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing some and leaving others alone, I would also do that...." It was all about preserving the Union, not about freeing the slaves.



:huh: :huh: :huh:

Slavery was abolished in Canada in 1833 when British Parliament banned it in British colonies, which included British North America/Canada.