I am a real American.

I went to public school in suburban New Jersey. I went to a private liberal arts college in Vermont, where I majored in English and minored in studio art. Now I live with my boyfriend in San Francisco. I make $36,000 a year. Four years ago, I voted for Michael Badnarik, the Libertarian candidate. Four years before that, I wasn't old enough to vote. I have donated money to the Libertarian Party, and earlier this month, I donated to Barack Obama.

I read a lot of books and blogs and I watch a lot of television and movies. I like wine, weed, candy, cuddling, comedies, abstract expressionist art, fashion, and people who have something interesting to say. I appreciate nuance, self-awareness, and thoughtfulness. I like dogs. I take the bus. Sometimes I am pretentious, sometimes I am disdainful, sometimes I am selfish, sometimes I am superficial, sometimes I am humble, and sometimes I am shy. I always strive to be compassionate and understanding.

I believe in personal responsibility. I do not think that the government should legislate morality, and I think that the government should stay out of our personal lives and personal decisions, as long as we are not infringing on the rights of others. I believe in God, and I also believe in a separation of church and state. I believe that a woman's ability to control her own reproductive system is a crucial step towards gender equality and as such, I believe in safeguarding access to contraception, including emergency contraception, as well as access to abortion. I don't think that it is the government's job to define marriage, but I think that all committed couples should be guaranteed the same rights, regardless of their sexual orientation. I think the war on drugs is a failure. I think cannabis should be legalized. I think that some drugs really do expand your mind, and I think that a lot of Americans could use some mind expansion. I believe in education, including comprehensive sex education. I don't think that education automatically equates to elitism. I think universal health care is a good idea. I think we should stop spending so much money in Iraq, and start bringing our troops home.

I don't think that loving your country means blindly accepting the decisions of its leaders. And I think that we are all "real Americans," even if we don't all share the same beliefs and values.