American Exceptionalism vs. American Action
Published June 27, 2005
Remember when Jan Egeland suggested that Western powers were being "stingy" with their tsunami aid pledges? Remember when many Americans became hysterical over that comment, and blogs posted pictures of kids selling lemonade to raise money for tsunami victims with large headlines reading "WE AREN'T STINGY!"? People got so angry when a UN official simply stated that we could afford to do more.
A very interesting article today mentions the fact that many Americans think our country is more generous than it tends to be in actuality.
Polls over the last decade show most Americans believe 10 percent of the federal budget is spent on humanitarian and economic aid for the world's poor and that America gives more than any other country.But the world's richest economy actually spends just over one half of 1 percent of its budget on aid to the world's poor, less per capita than every other wealthy nation.
"Americans believe they are giving a lot already and that they are giving more than other countries on a percentage basis," said Steven Kull, director of the University of Maryland's Program on International Policy Attitudes, which has compiled data on Americans' aid views.
...
The United States was criticized for giving too little government aid after the deadly tsunami that hit Southeast Asia last year. U.S. President George W. Bush said America gave a lot more when private donations were included.But even when private giving is counted, American aid on a per-capita basis ranks 19th out of 21 rich countries, according to Foreign Policy magazine's 2004 Ranking the Rich survey.
I certainly don't want to belittle any donation — public or private, large or small — made by people in this country, nor do I dare oversimplify the complexities of giving aid to some nations run by corrupt governments. There is, however, something fascinating about the American obsession with the feeling of superiority, as well as our anger towards those that challenge that "exceptionalism", both home and abroad.
To be sure, I love this country in which I live. I love that I can grow here, learn here, find work here, and eventually raise a family here — all while enjoying freedoms that to many people in this world are only fantasies. But all my love for this country doesn't blind me into believing that it is superior in every way and thus has no obligation for improvement.
At the center of this issue is the division between those who think our best days are past us, and those who think our best days should be ahead of us — visions of America as the land of Superman, Lady Liberty and "The Greatest Generation" and America as a future leader in charity, medical and scientific breakthroughs, and true social equality.
If we we are intentionally deaf to all criticism of our country, if we define ourselves exclusively by our selective, idealized past, if we balk at the notion that to be a truly great nation is to bypass self-satisfaction and continually strive to make our world better, then this so-called "city upon a hill" will slowly fade into obscurity.
- American Exceptionalism vs. American Action
- Published: June 27, 2005
- Type: Opinion
- Section: Politics
- Writer: Travis Marshall
- Travis Marshall's BC Writer page
- Travis Marshall's personal site
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Funny you should bring this up. I was just thinking the other day that there are two kinds (loosely) of people in the world. Those who look at a job, a product, a country, a company, look way past what it does well, and then harps on its flaw or flaws. I mean that word harp very literally. Chastises, belittles, rags on, smears, beats up, attempts to hurt or harm, not challenge to greatness.
That is how I see the left right now. They just pick and pick. But it doesn't feel like encouragement or challenge. It feels like disdain and an effort to undermine.
Then there is another personality type. They look at the best in others, see a flaw and kindly, gently give quite direction to correct it. Or, even if the direction is not kind or quiet, it is not intended to undermine, but to goad, strengthen and uplift.
That is how I see the right wing. They are trying to do something important in Iraq. TK and his gang just tear down. Its never: "Your doing a great job here, here and here, but you could do better over here if you would just..."
is ti only me that sees the supreme Irony in comment #2?
you know, doing exactly what yer bitching about?
what the hell, we all know i'm the freak, eh?
Excelsior!
No, gonzo, you're the Walrus! Please keep your lines straight!
Koo, koo ca-choo! (Excelsior!)
a susual, i bow to the Wisdom of DrPat
..:::bows, hand over fist:::..
that would explain my love of colder weather and these damn tusks i guess...
Excelsior!
Touche' Gonzo (is that how you spell Touche'?)
I have seen the left do many incredible things over the years. Right now I'm having a hard time seeing what they want to do, and how they want to do it.
whereas it is simnplicity itself to see the Agenda of the GOP right now
tax cuts
cut medicaid
ban marriage for approximately 10% of the population
tax cuts
reverse all environmental regulation
expand corporqate welfare
tax cuts
continue settnig the record for defecit spending
more pork for the red states
tax cuts
bankruptcy reform to protect predatory lenders
tort reform to protect the downtrodden insurance companies
tax cuts
setting up a prescription drug plan that not only does NOT allow for collective bargaining but removes all culpability for "bad" drugs and vaccines
tax cuts
removing the protection for the citizens of class action suits held in state courts
tax cuts
doubling the size of government in 5 years
tax cuts
doubling the number of registered lobbyists in 5 years (now over 375,000)
did i mention tax cuts?
on and on
any hard time you are having is becuse you need to take the dick cheney special rose colored glasses off and smell the mercury poisoning in your arsenic laced water
i have very little patience for either "Party" , since i think they are made up of mostly whores
but the last 5 years have clearly shown that while i may not have anyoen i would like to vote for
there is most certanily a helluva lotta folks i am going to vote against
nuff said?
Excelsior!
Right != Republican
Left != Democrat
Left/Right deals with political philosophy
GOP/DNC deals with a bunch of white men trying to get and hold power.
Getting late in Maine again
tax cuts - stimulated economy working nicely
cut medicaid - not sure that's on the "r" list, but I would certainly be looking for ways to reign it in
ban marriage for approximately 10% of the population - You mean, not extend
tax cuts - across the board. Highest % to lowest earners. Many pay -0-
reverse all environmental regulation - Please. That's not worthy of you
expand corporqate welfare - Which, who. Seems to me it was R's who went after the bad guys. Not the D's
tax cuts - Does the government deserve more based on its use of our funds
continue settnig the record for defecit spending - not in % of the GNP or GDP. Use appropriate arguments.
more pork for the red states - Sad,but maybe true
tax cuts -
bankruptcy reform to protect predatory lenders - Please. The folks this bill went after were the predators, and their dishonesty was raising your interest rates
tort reform to protect the downtrodden insurance companies - Do you pay product liability insurance? I could pay my employees a lot more or cut my prices if I didn't have that albatross
tax cuts
setting up a prescription drug plan that not only does NOT allow for collective bargaining but removes all culpability for "bad" drugs and vaccines - There is a government agency for helping folks that are hurt by vaccines. Around 1000 people per year use it. Out of millions of vaccinations.
tax cuts
removing the protection for the citizens of class action suits held in state courts - As a law school graduate, I can give you chapter and verse on forum shopping and the wallet padding it has provided for attorneys. Read any Grisham?
tax cuts
doubling the size of government in 5 years - Does that count the cost of war?
tax cuts
doubling the number of registered lobbyists in 5 years (now over 375,000)- This is supposed to be a R plan or appraoch. Seems like lobbyist come from all sides
Now, tell me what the other guys stand for?
ask the demlicans...i belong to no "gang" and i pick on both sides when required
if it was up to me there would be no such thing as re-elections, red ink/black ink for ALL accounting...especially the government
on and on...but that's a whole 'nother Screed
all i can ask is that good hearted folks from both "sides" take a close look at the real Issues...put aside the blinders and ask...
is it good for the whole Nation?
and "do no Harm"
but i am the Walrus....according to DrPat
Excelsior!
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What do you think a trade deficit is? Our generosity in letting another country have jobs.