J.D. Vance (quoted)

In fact, most other countries have not only a stronger claim on that national identity, but it also denies the possibility of American exceptionalism, which is this idea that the United States, which I actually buy into, this idea that the United States of America is exceptional relative to all other nations across time and space because of the common ideals that otherwise brought together a divided and even in some ways polyglot group of people, religiously diverse group of people in a way that's never been done in human history.

In fact, most other countries have not only a stronger claim on that national identity, but it also denies the possibility of American exceptionalism, which is this idea that the United States, which I actually buy into, this idea that the United States of America is exceptional relative to all other nations across time and space because of the common ideals that otherwise brought together a divided and even in some ways polyglot group of people, religiously diverse group of people in a way that's never been done in human history.

And so what are those ideals? I think that they're foundational ideals embodied in the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. I think the idea that we, the people, actually can be trusted to govern ourselves for better or for worse, which acknowledges that we're going to be trade-offs. Sometimes we'll get it wrong, but that is who we are.

And so what are those ideals? I think that they're foundational ideals embodied in the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. I think the idea that we, the people, actually can be trusted to govern ourselves for better or for worse, which acknowledges that we're going to be trade-offs. Sometimes we'll get it wrong, but that is who we are.

And so what are those ideals? I think that they're foundational ideals embodied in the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. I think the idea that we, the people, actually can be trusted to govern ourselves for better or for worse, which acknowledges that we're going to be trade-offs. Sometimes we'll get it wrong, but that is who we are.

That's what made America great the first time. The idea that you get to speak your mind openly and express any opinion, no matter what that opinion is, no matter how heinous it is to me, the fact that you get to express that opinion as long as I get to in return, the fact that you get to practice your religion, whatever that religion is, as long as you're not hurting somebody else in the process,

That's what made America great the first time. The idea that you get to speak your mind openly and express any opinion, no matter what that opinion is, no matter how heinous it is to me, the fact that you get to express that opinion as long as I get to in return, the fact that you get to practice your religion, whatever that religion is, as long as you're not hurting somebody else in the process,

That's what made America great the first time. The idea that you get to speak your mind openly and express any opinion, no matter what that opinion is, no matter how heinous it is to me, the fact that you get to express that opinion as long as I get to in return, the fact that you get to practice your religion, whatever that religion is, as long as you're not hurting somebody else in the process,

as long as I get to in return. The idea of merit, right? Merit, I think, is at the heart of the American identity. And what is merit or what is a meritocracy? I think it's a system that, A, recognizes that not everyone, in fact, decisively everyone does not have the same God-given gifts.

as long as I get to in return. The idea of merit, right? Merit, I think, is at the heart of the American identity. And what is merit or what is a meritocracy? I think it's a system that, A, recognizes that not everyone, in fact, decisively everyone does not have the same God-given gifts.

as long as I get to in return. The idea of merit, right? Merit, I think, is at the heart of the American identity. And what is merit or what is a meritocracy? I think it's a system that, A, recognizes that not everyone, in fact, decisively everyone does not have the same God-given gifts.

It acknowledges that, and yet still says that we create a space, a nation, that allows you to achieve the maximum of your God-given potential, even though that's different from mine or anybody else's. Your God-given potential, you can maximize that God-given potential in this country without any government or system standing in your way.

It acknowledges that, and yet still says that we create a space, a nation, that allows you to achieve the maximum of your God-given potential, even though that's different from mine or anybody else's. Your God-given potential, you can maximize that God-given potential in this country without any government or system standing in your way.

It acknowledges that, and yet still says that we create a space, a nation, that allows you to achieve the maximum of your God-given potential, even though that's different from mine or anybody else's. Your God-given potential, you can maximize that God-given potential in this country without any government or system standing in your way.

Those, I think, begin to form the beginnings of an American identity grounded in the rule of law. Something that we say is, you know, a nation without borders is not a nation, but that's an extension of the fact that we're a nation founded on the rule of law.

Those, I think, begin to form the beginnings of an American identity grounded in the rule of law. Something that we say is, you know, a nation without borders is not a nation, but that's an extension of the fact that we're a nation founded on the rule of law.

Those, I think, begin to form the beginnings of an American identity grounded in the rule of law. Something that we say is, you know, a nation without borders is not a nation, but that's an extension of the fact that we're a nation founded on the rule of law.

So I think those basic ideals, free speech, open debate, free expression, free exercise of your own religion, meritocracy, the best person getting the job regardless of their genetics, the commitment to self-governance for better or for worse, the idea that the people we elect to run the government are the ones who run the government rather than unelected or enlightened bureaucrats, as it's been done in most nations across human history and even most nations on earth today.

So I think those basic ideals, free speech, open debate, free expression, free exercise of your own religion, meritocracy, the best person getting the job regardless of their genetics, the commitment to self-governance for better or for worse, the idea that the people we elect to run the government are the ones who run the government rather than unelected or enlightened bureaucrats, as it's been done in most nations across human history and even most nations on earth today.

So I think those basic ideals, free speech, open debate, free expression, free exercise of your own religion, meritocracy, the best person getting the job regardless of their genetics, the commitment to self-governance for better or for worse, the idea that the people we elect to run the government are the ones who run the government rather than unelected or enlightened bureaucrats, as it's been done in most nations across human history and even most nations on earth today.