237 years ago, our Founding Fathers declared America’s independence from Great Britain, proclaiming:
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States…
And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.”
The pillars of American Exceptionalism, many enshrined in the Bill of Rights, must be restored to their former beauty. Our Founders fought to provide us with a Constitutional Republic, giving of their lives and their fortunes. They did the hard part; all we must do is protect and preserve these pillars.
Independence Day is so much more than a day for fireworks and barbecues. It marks the beginning of the greatest country in the history of the world – the country that has made this earth a safer and better place.
With patriots like you we will prevail and restore these pillars of American Exceptionalism.
Photo credit: Jnn13 via Wikimedia Commons (CC-by-SA 3.0)
Steve King
Latest posts by Steve King (see all)
- American Exceptionalism - July 4, 2013
Dear Lord, Mr. King. It’s frightening that someone as poorly informed as yourself might actually hold power in our Congress. American Exceptionalism has little to do with any of the things you lay out above. It has to do with Americans believing that their actions are always right, that they are always beneficial to others regardless of how they might impact the other, and that G-d is always on our side. This thinking has a long pedigree stretching back to the Puritans and their city on a hill. But it is not an honest self-assessment and our refusal to look at ourselves and our conduct honestly and critically has been the source of an awful lot of pathology in the world over our 200+ years of existence. There is much in American history and culture to celebrate. But a clueless notion of exceptionalism is not among them.