The next time a left winger criticises his country ...

James Taranto of WSJ OpinionJournal : has made a good rejoinder to those who constantly deride their country:
"Punitive liberals are often defensive about their patriotism--understandably enough, since their relentless complaining about America often is hard to distinguish from out-and-out anti-Americanism. Their defense is that 'true' patriotism consists in acknowledging your own country's faults and exhorting it to improve.
Well, maybe. Certainly there's nothing unpatriotic about criticizing your government or its policies. And since love of country is a matter of the heart, it's presumptuous to question anyone's patriotism. But imagine a man who treats his wife the way the punitive liberals treat America: constantly belittling her, pointing out her faults and never showing her any kindness. He may love her, but most people would agree he has a twisted way of expressing it."