http://www.byupoliticalreview.com/?p=70#comments
I disagree with his main argument: I think that Americans want to be different, and better on the whole, and that that makes us great. You can read my response to his article below.
Benjamin Pacini wrote:
To Zach and Jason–
Zach, your article was informed, but vaguely saddening. You have a view of America that stokes a sense of profound loss inside.
If I may be so arrogant, I’d like to say what thoughts I had while reading Jason’s comments—perhaps describe what I learned from what he was saying. I agree with him in essence, if not in particulars.
Historians define American exceptionalism as the thought that Americans are different, not simply the thought that they are greater; but in this case I would prefer to side with history than historians. I believe that America’s exceptionalism stems from her commission, not her greatness.
I believe that calling America the “city on the hill” is an accurate statement. Perhaps even clearer would be the statement, “America can choose to be the city on the hill.” The idea that America will reach higher heights by ceasing to strive for them is ludicrous. As Jason wisely pointed out, America’s success has coincided with its return to basic principles of goodness and virtue—and its belief that it ought to be, and ought to try to be, exceptional.
Alexis de Tocqueville has long been purported to have said “I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her commodious harbors and her ample rivers - and it was not there . . . in her fertile fields and boundless forests and it was not there . . . in her rich mines and her vast world commerc - and it was not there . . . in her democratic Congress and her matchless Constitution - and it was not there. Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because she is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, she will cease to be great.”
The notion that America is failing due to some monstrous ego is wrong; America’s sins are more varied than some vague over-patriotism. Think of apathy, not caring for the poor, arrogance, impatience, incontinence, lust. America’s sins are many and varied; but I suspect that we see America as a person who was not acting as herself when she committed such crimes. Exceptionalism is the hope that America will come to herself, and stand in the place prepared for her. It’s the archetypical struggle to remember her royal birth—not only by birthright, but by the courage to become the noble royalty that is expected.
In other words, we may or may not be the rallying point for the nations—that will be for them to decide; yet we certainly should not be ashamed to hope to become one. In life, many of us would be willing to do much more good in the world, if only there was someone else leading the way, someone to rally around. Of course, when such people appear, they are taunted as self-righteous and proud, because people fear the light which they could otherwise bring. Parenthetically, I’ve never heard anyone assert another’s self-righteousness without some degree of hypocrisy.
It is not America’s desire to be exceptional that has caused its decline—no more than it is our belief that we are sons and daughters of God. Rather, it is the loss of such a desire that weakens us. It is our abandonment of the principles—including humility—that have previously made us great that can bring our downfall. The Zoramites of Antionum serve as a good warning, but the city of Enoch serves as a better exemplar.
I've thought about it, and I suppose the difference is between mediocrity and averageness. We have no right to be mediocrity, nor do we have a right to seek to be "above average." We need to strive to be good. There's nothing wrong with that.
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