Cynthia Davis: Why America is special

As Rep. Cynthia Davis, R-O'Fallon, nears the end of her time in the Missouri House of Representatives, she has spent the last several weeks spelling out her philosophy on a number of issues. In her latest column, she talks about what makes America special. At one point, she notes that her son, who is studying to become a public schoolteacher, is required to take a course on political correctness. I can't recall ever seeing that one in a college catalog:

America is special

It’s not just that we have generated the most prosperity, have the most enduring constitution and serve as a model to which other civilizations wish to aspire. These benchmarks are merely the fruit of our common belief system. You may ask, “How can we have a common belief system when there is such diversity among millions of people?” The answer lies in our common creeds -the principles set forth in our Declaration of Independence and our Constitution.


As a result, people here have enjoyed greater freedom and autonomy than any other country. This is not sheer luck. It is a result of our foundational principles. We believe that all men are created equal and are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights. These God-given rights are what distinguish us from all other nations who believe rights are granted by the government.

Our remarkable success has created American Exceptionalism. This is far more than pride in our homeland; it is an acknowledgement that our country has surpassed all other civilizations in a remarkable way. Never to be duplicated before or since! While other countries struggle under iron-fisted rulers, our country believes that “We the people” are the government. We govern ourselves to a great degree, but this is only possible so long as we retain a common ethic of right and wrong. It is remarkable how many of our founders said that our morality is a prerequisite of the blessings of liberty. Although there are individual aberrations, our country has a national conscience and a national personality that loves liberty, is friendly and is the most generous nation on earth. We have nothing for which to apologize to other nations.

My son is required to take a class on political correctness as a requirement to be a public school teacher. In the class the teacher told the students they should not use the word “America” anymore because it makes us sound like we are the center of the universe. It’s true that other places are called “America”; however, when we say it in the context or our nation, people know it is in reference to the exceptional nation, distinctive among all others. Loyalty to our country is a virtue. George Washington said it best:

“Citizens by birth or choice of a common country, that country has a right to concentrate your affections. The name of American, which belongs to you, in your national capacity, must always exalt the just pride of Patriotism, more than any appellation derived from local discriminations.”


George Washington, Farewell Address, September 19, 1796

America is the most exceptional model of fair, just and free government ever known to mankind and the clear thinking citizens aren’t afraid to say so!


Our Planet Earth is Special

The planet Earth is also exceptional because we are the only place in the known universe that can sustain life. Scientists have spent exhaustive amounts of time and money to see if they can find life anywhere else and after searching billions of light years and almost every known galaxy, they have come up with nothing. For them, if the Earth is the only place they can find life, it also shows there must be a creator because this couldn’t just happen. If evolution had merit, it would be duplicated somewhere else. If it can’t be duplicated then the Earth is exceptional.


Missouri is Also Special

Our Missouri constitution has some parts that are better than our US Constitution. For example, Missouri’s Bill of Rights states:

1.) “Missouri is a free and independent state...all proposed amendments…affecting the individual liberties of the people or which in any wise may impair the right of local self-government belonging to the people of this state, should be submitted to the conventions of the people.” (Section 4).

2.) “All men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences; that no human authority can control or interfere with the rights of conscience;” (Section 5).

3.) “No law shall be passed impairing the freedom of speech, no matter by what means communication; that every person shall be free to say, write or publish, or otherwise communicate whatever he will on any subject, being responsible for all abuses of that liberty;” (Section 8)

4.) “…The court shall excuse any woman who requests exemption there-from before being sworn as a juror.” Section 22 (b)

5.) “Private property shall not be taken for private use …except for private ways of necessity, and except for drains and ditches across the lands of others for agricultural and sanitary purposes…” (Section 28)

6.) “To be valid and recognized in this state, a marriage shall exist only between a man and a woman. (Section 33)

Packing up the Office

Due to term limits, I am getting ready to shut down our office at the Missouri Capitol. In keeping with the tradition of emailing Capitol Reports every Thursday, I have two more Capitol Reports left to send. I plan on continuing to communicate with all of you who have enjoyed my reports.