Service to your country was the hot topic discussed between Time's managing editor Richard Stengel, Judy Woodruff of PBS, and each of the presidential hopefuls at Columbia University on the anniversary of September 11. Right off the bat I knew it was going to be extremely interesting to hear the two very different answers of McCain and Obama. And just to compare how each of them define community service, but most importantly, their views on serving the country through the military. McCain went first in the three-person interview and Obama would take the stage for his Q&A afterward.

One of the questions asked by Woodruff was if his length of involvement in Washington and his background would give him a leg-up, so to speak, on issues and maybe as president? McCain firmly stressed that he knows what the problems are and knows how to fix them. But, the weirdest thing he said was "average citizens do the most when it comes to volunteering, they are the first to respond to national crises, no harm to rich people." Oh yeah right like you're a regular jo-blo. He also said he was "very pleased" with volunteer efforts throughout the country and especially for natural disasters.

In my opinion, I think its an innate quality every human being has -- to help one another because its for the greater good and bottomline, its the right thing to do. Our nation is unique and awesome. We have our downfalls, but who doesn't... but our positives definitely outweigh the negatives. Not many countries have the luxury to freely express their opinons... especially politics. All of us take for granted our First Amendment rights and the FOS. We can wear what we want, do what we want, and say what want. I know we have a big illegal immigrant issue, but think about why these people flee their countries, because their country probably sucks... and I cannot say it better because its the truth. In China, a couple can only have one child and they usually cross their fingers its a boy. In Mexico, the government is crooked and crime is always at an all-time high. Or in countries such as Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Afghanistan, etc. were roadside bombs explode daily. It's obvious people want to come to this country. Each time I see a crowd of folks rallying for a cause they whole-heartedly believe in, I'm inspired. We are so fortunate to have the option to disagree and protest, to practice a religion freely, to feel safe and protected, to have freedom of the press, and to persue your dreams (it's true even though it sounds corny).