Five reasons France deserves our help rebuilding Notre Dame

1) Shared values and history: Enduring American alliances require more than shared political interests. They demand shared values of democracy, the rule of law, and a history of serving the same. In the 18th century, the French played an essential role in helping America’s revolutionaries create our nation. In the 19th century, Alexis de Tocqueville helped America understand and embrace its unique self, and France gave America our Statue of Liberty. In the 20th century, we fought two world wars to save continental Europe from imperial domination. In the 21st century, we have more than $89 billion in annual trade.