Category: American exceptionalism

Tim Scott and American Exceptionalism

Commentary Republican Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina has announced the formation of an exploratory committee for his candidacy for president. You may have noticed that Scott is black. We may ask, in this woke age of ours, the extent to which this matters in his candidacy. I think it does matter, which requires some…


It’s the Culture, Stupid

Commentary PHILIPSBURG, Pennsylvania—For over a decade, Pat Romano drove past the former Mallard Motel on his way to and from the construction business he owned in town. And the more he saw the motel fall into disrepair, the more he wanted to buy it—which he admits was a bit crazy. Perched on the cusp of…


Tom Brady and American Exceptionalism

Commentary Tom Brady’s announcement that he was retiring after an amazing 22 years in the NFL (20 with the Patriots and two with the Buccaneers) is a perfect time to be reminded that American exceptionalism is built around exceptional Americans. Brady as quarterback is clearly the GOAT (greatest of all time). He personally has more…


Our Messy, Unique, Beautiful American Experiment

Commentary When asked in Europe in 2009 whether he believed in American exceptionalism, then-President Barack Obama said he did—in the same way that “the Brits believe in British exceptionalism and the Greeks in Greek exceptionalism.” In other words, “No.” Obama’s response wasn’t just off-putting to the American people; it was also plain wrong. Today, well…


Zeus Would Smite Us

The Olympics happened this summer. Don’t worry if you missed them, most people did, with the Tokyo Olympics losing nearly half the viewers who tuned into the 2016 summer games in Rio de Janeiro. Pundits are listing all sorts of reasons for this decline in viewership: the significant time difference between the United States and…


How Bourbon Rose From a Humble Grain to Embody American Exceptionalism

Commentary BOURBON COUNTY, Ky.—About 250 years ago, farmers looking for a way to make their surplus corn crop profitable decided to distill it. Today, that leftover grain has become a billion-dollar industry and a symbol of the Bluegrass State’s identity, economy, and culture. “How bourbon came about is (what) … the American spirit looks like:…


The American General Store Is a Symbol of Enterprise and Exceptionalism

Commentary BUCKSTOWN, Pa.—The Duppstadt’s Country Store, sitting high on a plateau along the Lincoln Highway between Stoystown and Reels Corner, has served Somerset County residents and weary travelers since 1903. When you open the heavy wooden door and hear it creak with age, you get the sense you have entered somewhere special. Not because it…


Critical Race Theory Versus American Exceptionalism

Commentary Over the past few weeks, legislatures, school boards, and parents have risen to challenge critical race theory (CRT) as a divisive ideology teaching our children to become racists. Their objections have brought this once-obscure academic theory to the front pages. They’ve also raised some burning questions: What is CRT? What makes it so objectionable?…


American Exceptionalism vs. the People’s Republic of China

Commentary The collision between American exceptionalism and Chinese communism will define the 21st century. The winner will likely determine what the globe looks like for the next hundred years—and beyond. What exactly is American exceptionalism? It’s a term frequently used but rarely defined. At its core, it’s about individual liberties and a shared set of values. But…


Opinion: American Exceptionalism vs. the People’s Republic of China

Commentary The collision between American exceptionalism and Chinese communism will define the 21st century. The winner will likely determine what the globe looks like for the next hundred years—and beyond. What exactly is American exceptionalism? It’s a term frequently used but rarely defined. At its core, it’s about individual liberties and a shared set of values. But…