We are a commune of inquiring, skeptical, politically centrist, capitalist, anglophile, traditionalist New England Yankee humans, humanoids, and animals with many interests beyond and above politics. Each of us has had a high-school education (or GED), but all had ADD so didn't pay attention very well, especially the dogs. Each one of us does "try my best to be just like I am," and none of us enjoys working for others, including for Maggie, from whom we receive neither a nickel nor a dime. Freedom from nags, cranks, government, do-gooders, control-freaks and idiots is all that we ask for.
I have to disagree with your friend a bit, Christ himself commanded us to be (or try to be) perfect:
Matt 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
However, He also knew we never can be; that is why He provides us His grace, to make up the shortfall. While I agree it is God's grace that saves man, He expects us to try our best to seek perfection in this life.