[jyl]

I think the US is and has been an extremely powerful and influential nation with certain political, economic, and cultural ideals that are inspiring to much of the world.

We did not invent democracy and liberty (Greeks), world superpower (Roman Empire), global trading (British Empire, lots of others), the rule of law (British and others), or many other things besides.

In general, I think self-congratulation or self-doubt about whether the US is "exceptional" is rather purposeless from a practical standpoint. It tends to embroil the mind in ideological argument, semantic debate, and backwards-looking nostalgia. Let the historians worry about that.

We should be looking forward, focused on pragmatic things. There are certain major things the US needs to do. Wringing our hands about whether we were, are, or will be "exceptional" is pointless.