As a progressive, I hate the predominant left's view of patriotism and love of country today. I like how Richard Rorty characterized it: "National pride is to countries what self-respect is to individuals, a necessary condition for self-improvement." These days it's strange how hard it is to be both leftist and have a love of country, and just because you love it doesn't mean your aren't critical. As James Baldwin said, "I love America more than any other country in the world and, exactly for this reason, I insist on the right to criticize her perpetually.”