Steve Benen: National Greatness Liberalism

[alp227]

Steve Benen, who writes the Political Animal blog, responds to American exceptionalism themes in this year's State of the Union:

There's a distinction to be made between nationalism and jingoism, and the message we heard from the president this week falls comfortably into the former. This isn't nationalism in the lazy, divisive, self-satisfying sense, but rather, it's more of a competition-based nationalism -- there's a competitive global marketplace, and those who want America to thrive need to make decisions that bolster and enhance our position as a leader.

The "national greatness" frame has traditionally been associated with conservatives, but there's no reason to keep it that way. Indeed, it's past time to flip it.

Every major power on the planet offers health care to its citizens, for example. The left believes part of America's greatness comes with not leaving millions of our neighbors behind, and putting the U.S. at a competitive disadvantage in the process. The right believes it's more important to reject "big government."