The people in this NPR story -- immigrants to America from Iraq, Costa Rica, et al -- renew my pride in our country. They see what we have and take for granted, and they know it's not perfect, but they instantly know the value of this democracy, this dialogue, this trust between the governed and the governing.

Listening to the Iraqi couple discuss whether they could even have candidates civilly debate the future of their country without "hitting each other with shoes" almost makes you view with relish the next eight and a half months of non-stop presidential politics. Almost.