America: A nation founded upon high ideals

America is a unique nation in world history because it was founded upon lofty ideals that could embrace the breadth of humanity in all its diversity. While other nations have also had success in assimilating different cultures, America is unique in that its argument for why people should be free to assimilate is based on a spiritual truth: that all men are created equal by God.

This compelling phrase in the Declaration of Independence led millions of people of all backgrounds to immigrate here with the hope to realize their full God-given potential without the man-made inhibitors that existed everywhere else.

The peculiar thing is that these days, if I say I'm proud to be an American, some people might accuse me of loving my nation to the exclusion of others. But the way I see it, America is a beacon on a hill and by uplifting American exceptionalism based on our founding ideal, it is encouraging other nations to follow suit and also stand for lofty ideals that will benefit all people.

U.S. veterans park