On the Trail with Newt Gingrich

    I spent parts of last week hiking on the Big Dry Creek Trail in Westminster with Newt Gingrich and his wife, Calista.  Actually, I was taking my daily walks on the trail while listening to Newt’s latest audio book: A Nation Like No Other: Why American Exceptionalism Matters.  As I walked parts of the trail over several days, I carried Newt in my pocket iPod and listened as he told me that he wants to help reawaken the country to the "exceptionalism" of the United States and make a case for why it should be embraced and fought for in this crucial period of our history. 

    As you know, Newt was the Speaker of the House, and he is a historian with a Ph.D. who is running for President.   However, Newt’s book is not about himself or why he is running for president.   It is about our Founding Founders, and it is not overtly political except as it relates to our history and Constitution, Bill of Rights, and creating a new kind of nation that is a hybrid between a Republic and a Democracy.  With some verbal assistance from Calista, Newt narrated a clear, concise understanding of American history, conveying the message that if we are to chart a better future, we first must understand our past and how we arrived where we are now.

    As a means of introduction, Newt explained the historical foundations of the idea of American Exceptionalism.  He said that this concept of American Exceptionalism is not a matter of arbitrary patriotic pride. It is a matter of historical fact arising from the founding of our nation on the revolutionary principle that the people are not the servants of the government; the government is the servant of the people. That gave rise to the comprehensive protections for individual rights in American government, the democratic process of our government, and the culture of personal and economic freedom that prevails in America.

    Newt talked about the time in 2009 when President Obama was asked if he believed in American Exceptionalism, and Obama replied that he believed in American Exceptionalism the way that the British believe their country is exceptional and the Greeks believe their country is exceptional.  Newt was not happy with that multicultural view that all countries are exceptional in their own way and that all countries and cultures are equal.   Newt strongly believes that our American history and culture make us unique and exceptional compared to other countries.  Newt went on to explain how this American exceptionalism is at the root of America's history of prosperity and the American Dream that still serves as a beacon to the world, drawing hundreds of millions to our shores. 

      In his book, Newt discussed the threats to American exceptionalism and the continued viability of the American Dream and our heritage of world leading prosperity. He discussed what needs to be done to restore that world leading prosperity and to assure the American Dream is passed down to our children and grandchildren. 

    As we walked along the trail, Newt presented his book to me in three parts.

    Part I ("Remembering Who We Are") contained three chapters that explore the history of where American Exceptionalism came from.  Newt described to me our nation's early history and the lessons learned from its failed exercises in utopianism and communalism and how the colonies thrived when they turned to self-reliance and liberty.  Newt examined the thinkers, including Locke, who profoundly influenced our nation's Founders.  Newt used the words of the Founders themselves.  Both public statements and private correspondences were referenced to bolster his arguments.

    A key event described by Newt is at the historic Bowling Green site in New York City when the Continental Army assembled to hear a reading of the newly printed Declaration of Independence.  That had to be quite an event.  The troops were so inspired on hearing the words that they proceeded to tear down the statue of King George III at that location and used the metal to fashion bullets to use against the 30,000 troops the British had just disembarked on Staten Island. This army from Britain was roughly equal to the entire population of Manhattan at the time. The Colonists seemed to have no chance against such might, training, and provisions. Yet, despite loss, privation, and seeming hopelessness the Colonists persisted and after eight hard years they prevailed. I found that to be very informative and educational.  This historical background showed why it made no sense for President Obama to say in 2009 that he believes in American Exceptionalim just as the Greeks believe in Greek Excpetionalism and the British believe in British Exceptionalism.   We are in deed an exceptional country with a remarkable history.

    It was hot on the trail, but I continued on in anticipation as Newt moved on to Part II ("Defining American Exceptionalism") where he presented his key argument on the five “Habits of Liberty” that constitute American Exceptionalism.  They are: Faith and Society, Work, Civil Society, Rule of Law, and Safety and Peace.  Newt talked to me about each of these Habits of Liberty in turn. Each chapter in this section of the book not only described what it is and illustrated the tradition in history, but showed how the Progressive agenda for the past century has worked against each one. By weakening each of these aspects of the American character, progressive policies aimed to turn us into another version of the European democratic socialist welfare state.  Newt discussed why we must resist these trends and what we will lose if we let these habits die away from us.  Newt had my complete attention, and even the beautiful view of our Colorado mountains couldn’t distract me from Newt’s narrative.

    As we dodged prairie dogs on the trail, Newt narrated Part III ("America Rising") where he took me through the problems the welfare state is facing and the dangers it continues to pose to America as a nation and to the future we will leave our children and grandchildren.  Newt gave me "Ten Steps to Restoring American Exceptionalism."   The theme is that it is up to each of us. Winning elections with the right people is important, but not nearly enough.   We need to fight back in our daily lives.  The Progressive politics of the last century have slowly taken over schools, entertainment, and the broad culture as well as politics.  Nest exhorted me to learn the real history of America, to speak out, to constantly question government authority, to teach fellow citizens and even children to insist that our schools teach personal responsibility and true American citizenship.  He also said that we need to get bad judges off the bench, to re-enshrine work as part of everyone's principles of life, to make a big deal out of our American Holidays, to become active volunteers in our communities, and even to run for one of the more than half-million elected offices in our country.

    I thought the best part of Newt’s book was Chapter 10 which provides current stories of every-day people who are making a difference by pushing back against the pervasive government that is ignoring our Constitution and even our laws to implement its own agenda.  Newt calls these "the Bowling Greens in our backyards." 

    Newt concluded our walk by providing a vision way into the future on January 20, 2021 when a new Conservative President is elected following eight years of a President and a Congress committed to American Exceptionalism and restoring our founding principles.

    If Newt really had been on the trail with me, I would have told him that I found his book inspiring and informative. I would tell him that I will encourage others to take the time to read it, think about it, and discuss it with their friends.  2012 will be a vital election year, and we have to be active, vocal, and get those committed to our American Heritage energized and working for these principles.

    In short, A Nation Like No Other: Why American Exceptionalism Matters is a great read and audio book. It is incredibly fast-paced, provides the necessary facts to logically back up Newt’s arguments and it provides a plan to every American on how to keep the United States the most exceptional country in the world.