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Is America truly exceptional? That is, to say that America is unique as compared to the rest of the world with regard to politics, social trends and dedication to freedom and equality. In grade school, I was left with the impression that America is a living, thriving tribute to freedom. As Americans, it is our responsibility to live up to the high standards of democracy and righteousness set forth by our Founding Fathers. In sixth grade I specifically recall thinking (or perhaps taught to believe by my sixth grade history teacher either consciously or subconsciously) that we live in the most unique country in the world; that Americans are the single-most moral, patriotic, hard-working, charitable, religious and fair people to exist since…well, since the beginning of time. While reading Seymour Martin Lipset’s excerpt from his book ‘American Exceptionalism: A Double-Edged Sword’, I found the American pride I felt in my youth come rushing back as, in my mind, flags waved and Uncle Sam winked and pointed directly at me. When the reality check sank in, I found myself intrigued and confused by the idea of ‘American exceptionalism’. Is this a myth I have come to believe from the American rhetoric and propaganda from my grad