"I am more of a "despite" patriot, believing in the inherent truth and beauty of the nation's founding documents despite the fact we've never, not even in the beginning—especially in the beginning—lived up to anything close to a more perfect union. But (A) show me somewhere better (and if you say your native Canada, Paul, I suggest you tell me why you moved to L.A.), and (B), I think I'm a better person because I have words like "more perfect union" to live up to."