Colin, Lebowski truly is the font of all wisdom.
As far as Hitchens, I think you misjudge him. He was first and foremost a journalist, author, and in his later years, a formidable foe in debates with believers of all ilks. In his youth he did embrace Marxism and the left, but moved toward the political center as he grew older while remaining a champion of what he found worth defending in Marx, who himself is often mischaracterized and misquoted, usually by reactionaries.
Note that I'm not accusing you of being a reactionary. From what I can gather from your posts in the forum, you hold views that are truly conservative, as opposed to what passes for conservatism nowadays but is more accurately termed reactionary right.
I believe the best governing occurs when conservatives and liberals state their cases fervently and honestly and then work together to achieve compromise...something sorely lacking in today's political climate.