[quebecois]

"There are two possible explanations. Either he [the liberal] has overestimated the extent to which his worldview is shared by the public, or he has underestimated George Bush"

The secret realization that the first of these propositions is true (overestimation of the extent that their worldview is shared by the public) is the real reason why the political left is so pathologically anti-American. America is, at its heart, an ideology. It is a set of beliefs about society, government, and man's relationship to them both. This ideology is despised by the left, who cling to a collectivist set of ideas that are at odds with the ideology of America.

The liberals know themselves to be ideological strangers, adrift in a nation that still reveres ideals that are anathema to the left. This is why they go to Baghdad and badmouth our president. This is why they burn american flags at their rallies. This is why they write articles about how terrible its been for them to live in post 9/11 America...with all of the flag waving and hymn singing going on here. This is why they fly off to Europe and tell the socialist sheep there how much better Europe is than America.

I alternate between anger and pity when I contemplate their situation.

[Utah]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading your reply. I found it very thoughtful and filled with insight. I agree with you that America "...is a set of beliefs about society, government, and man's relationship to them both." To your list I would add that America is also a belief about man's relationship to a living God.

The political left alienates many others with their tendency to discount the influence of God in their lives and the destiny of America. I believe in their hearts they are deeply fearful of the consequences of their alienation from America in this regard, and over compensate by actively attempting to scoff at and offend the religious majority. If the believers in America are deluded, they are wrong for a lifetime. If the non-believers are deluded, they are wrong for eternity.

[AndyJackson]

America is, at its heart, an ideology. It is a set of beliefs about society, government, and man's relationship to them both.

I think you missed it slightly. The grand divide is that the liberal measures a man by his relationship to his government. A constitutional conservative, measures his government by its relationship to men.