It was interesting to read but I'm not sure that the author understands American "Exceptionalism". I agree America has had many problems and chosen to do the wrong thing (internment of Japanese Americans, Andrew Jackson and Indian relations, the creation of a powerful fourth branch of government unaccountable at the ballot box, allowing slavery to ever exist in our shores, and more) but American Exceptionalism has until recently always been present.

American Exepetionalism refers to the creation of a country where the interests of the individual are considered more important than the power of the state. From centuries of kings, this was an amazing break in thinking. America was set up so that the government existed to serve the citizen while the rest of the world was the opposite. This concept is American Exceptionalism. I believe it has become such a relevant topic now because as the government grows, our rights diminish. I think people see the need to reassert this Exceptionalism. Not that WE as people are in any way better than citizens of other countries; we are not. However our system of government as created, was superior. Over time our system has been modified so much and individual liberty has been encroached upon for so long that most of us don't even realize what American Exceptionalism even means.

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