Being ‘exceptional’ doesn’t just come with the territory

By Robert D. GILLETTE

Special to The Vindicator

The notion of the United States as the wisest, richest, most powerful, best governed nation on earth has long been part of our national mythology. America, it is said, has flourished in directions determined by our uniquely conceived and designed constitution, and made possible by our wise and well-educated electorate.

Our track record in commercial and scientific innovation and financial services is thought to be envied by our competitors. Our medical services are touted as the best anywhere. We believe that Americans are virtuous and should be beloved around the planet. We stand proudly at the top of the mountain, convinced that no one can knock us down.

These beliefs and attitudes, taken together, are labeled American Exceptionalism, a conviction that we are exceptional, that our superiority separates us from all other nations. Indeed, some would-be opinion makers say that people who deny any of these beliefs are heretical, un-American cowards.

A false assumption

Each of the contentions of superiority was at least partially valid in the past, and some still are, but assuming that this dominance will continue into the future is dangerous and an inexcusable disservice to coming generations — our children and grandchildren. If we cannot see our flaws and correct them, we are vulnerable to assault from without and rot from within. As the saying goes, “We are in trouble when we start believing our own press releases.”

Our industrial might? Imposing and wealth-producing in the past, but now threatened by competing nations that we once dismissed as weak and primitive. And keep in mind that the titans of industry who built it included both responsible entrepreneurs and despicable sharks.

Our schools? An essential and accomplished institution, but an embarrassment when American dropout rates and achievement test results are compared with those of competing nations.

The U.S. health-care non-system? Very good, but hardly “the best in the world.” International statistical information tells us that the only area in which “we’re number one” is in the prices we pay. The new system recently enacted into law will help, but the Affordable Care Act as finally passed reflects so many compromises that it will do little to control costs. It could have been much better if Republican legislators had worked to make it so, instead of focusing on trying to embarrass the president and undercut what the Democrats were striving to accomplish.

No free lunch

America’s public finances? American politicians have done what they like to do, which is to give things (especially money) to the voters. They have not done what must be done if our financial system is to survive. If you want pensions tomorrow, you must fund them today. Ditto if you want schools, highways, or dependable health care. Our children and grandchildren are already doomed to cough up money that we have failed to set aside for our senior years. Greece, Ireland and other nations that are in crisis today because they waited too long to face the dismal truth send us a clear message: there really is no such thing as a free lunch. At the very least, it’s time to stop following the Pied Piper who keeps chanting, “Tax cuts! Tax cuts!”

The United States Constitution? Yes, a wise and powerful document, but remember that it has required 27 amendments and hundreds of judicial interpretations through the years. It’s a living document that must evolve as our world changes. Take, for example, its Second Amendment, which in its entirety reads, “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” It was written at a time when all “arms” were single-shot muzzle loaders — no Glocks or AK-47s.

The National Rifle Association continues to find the Second Amendment useful for its political purposes. For the last half century, NRA leaders have preached that some mysterious “they” are plotting to “take away your guns.” This strategy has built a loyal membership that marches in lockstep to its drumbeat, while strangling any reasoned dialogue about urgently needed steps to reduce the lethal misuse of firearms.

American Exceptionalism should be saluted on Independence Day, but the rest of the year it should be kept in a drawer while Americans honor the wise words of Carl Schurz: “Our country … when right, to be kept right; when wrong, to be put right.”

Dr. Robert Gillette is a retired family practice physician who lives in Poland.