Are you living in an echo chamber? I'll test you in a minute. First, a quote from Jane Galt.

If you ask me, the difference between conservatives and liberals right now is that the conservative base has a pretty good idea of where the rest of the American public does and does not agree with them, while the liberal base, to judge from their websites, believes that the American public is somewhere slightly to the left of Al Gore. This may explain why they spend so much time trying to convince each other that Republicans are a uniquely crafty brand of liars; with their worldview, it's the only way to explain their fellow voters increasing tendency to vote for the other side.

OK, so here's your quiz.

1. How many people do you know who are opposed to gay marriage?

2. How many people do you know who own a gun?

3. How many people do you know for whom internal combustion engines figure prominently in their recreational activities (think auto racing, jet skis, etc.)?

4. How many people do you know who regularly attend church?

If your answer to two or more of these questions is "zero," then you might want to face up to the fact that you live in an echo chamber. That's not a criticism--I live in the same one.

But I don't run around saying that I have a political platform that represents "the people."