Yes.

Or I think so, because I don't know what this show was about, or what they were discussing that led up to that conversation. I never watched "West Wing", because I knew it was liberal propaganda, and I feel uncomfortable around propaganda I agree with. I much prefer watching the propaganda of those I disagree with. It's why I love watching commercials.

If you were to ask me for an honest but simple definition of what I saw as the difference between Libs and Cons: I would say that Conservatives want a world where the capable have no limits as to how high or how far they can climb. Liberals want a world where no one gets left behind.

I think we all know we can't always have both, but Liberals think we need to try. Conservatives think its not their problem. Neither really wants the other to suffer, or be punished, in order to achieve their goal. But for both sides, if only one can have most of what it wants, then the other must pay a disproportionate price.

I am a liberal because I was born in a world where my future was proscribed and not too bright, simply because of the circumstances of my birth. It was the kind of world we now seem to be rapidly morphing into again. I'm not saying I was destined to a life of squalor and misery, but I did a lot better than I had any right to expect, and I cannot take all the credit for it. My country helped me.

Sure, I might have struggled to the top through sheer grit or luck, but I also know I probably would not have, and through no fault of my own. When I look at the people in this society who we consider as successful or exceptional, I don't see anyone substantially different than I am. I have had a relatively successful and comfortable life partly through my own efforts, but also largely through help I received from my country that helped me realize my potential. I owe a debt to that country.

I consider it true patriotism to help pay this back, to help others, even those not yet born, to have access to that same help my country gave me. I'm not much of a flag-waver or a historical fetishist, but I do take my debts seriously, and I do love my country. Paying that back is my obligation as a citizen and a patriot.