Jim DeMint schools Vladimir Putin in 'American Exceptionalism

Russian President Vladimir Putin last week warned that it was "dangerous to encourage people to see themselves as exceptional" -- an outright dismissal of the ideal of American Exceptionalism. "There are big countries and small countries, rich and poor, those with long democratic traditions and those still finding their way to democracy. Their policies differ, too. We are all different, but when we ask for the Lord’s blessings, we must not forget that God created us equal," Putin concluded. But former South Carolina Sen. Jim DeMint respectfully disagrees.

In a letter address directly to the Russian president, DeMint -- now the president of the conservative Heritage Foundation -- thanked Putin for for "shining an international spotlight on a crucial issue that doesn't get nearly as much attention as it deserves."

Read DeMint's full letter after the jump!

Letter from Jim DeMint to President Vladimir Putin on American Exceptionalism

Related:Ted Nugent and the case for American Exceptionalism