American Exceptionalism

American exceptionalism is the theory that the United States is qualitatively different from other nations.  -Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_exceptionalism

Obama stated at the UN Sep. 2013: “Some may disagree, but I believe America is exceptional, in part because we have shown a willingness, to the sacrifice of blood and treasure to stand up, not only for our own interests, but for the interests of all.” 
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/09/24/obama-tells-other-world-leaders-i-believe-america-is-exceptional/

Paul Craig Roberts disagrees: “Just as the Nazis proclaimed ‘Deutschland uber alles,’ neoconservatives proclaim ‘America uber alles.'”
http://www.paulcraigroberts.org/tag/american-exceptionalism/

Seymour Martin Lipset sees the American exceptionalism as a double edged sword: “America is the only nation in the world that is founded on a creed. That creed is set forth with dogmatic and even theological lucidity in the Declaration of Independence. . . .Other countries’ senses of themselves are derived from a common history.” 
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/books/chap1/americanexceptionalism.htm

Questions:

Is the USA exceptional or not?  Is there something special about the USA that sets it apart from other nations?

Does being the strongest economy in the world (so far) make the USA special or exceptional?

Does having the strongest military in the world make the USA special or exceptional?

How much influence does the USA have on Canada?  Is the American influence on Europe, Japan and other nations as strong as ever?

Canada is dependent on the US both economically and militarily.  If the US economy fails, can Canada still thrive?  Could Canada ever divorce itself from the US military umbrella?

See you there!  Bring a friend.