liberal vs. conservative

After last class' discussion with conservative Mark Finkelstein, it got me to thinking about a personal subject I have revisited several times since I came to IC. Am I really a liberal? I grew up in the Rochester, NY area, known for being very conservative, sometimes to the extreme. I have neighbors who proudly display confederate flags on their houses and vehicles.
Luckily (or at least I think so) I grew up in a house where my parents didn't even talk about their political views in front of the kids. Every election I had no idea who they were supporting. So when I came to college it was time to figure that out. Perhaps I picked a town that wasn't very flexible in allowing me to have an objective political exploration experience. And as a college student, the majority tend to have more outspoken liberal views on the world. I have always thought I was a more open-minded person, that I knew before coming to school. But this open mindedness at times has me listening to the views of conservatives, and not disagreeing. It's not that I always agree, but I see their point, and they do have some good points.
For example, I believe that same-sex couples should have the same right as any other heterosexual. It is completely unfair that two people in love cannot be with each other because they are on different continents and cannot have the same immigration opportunities as a married couple. It's wrong that they can't have the same visiting rights in a hospital, or share medical insurance when they are as committed, if not more than a heterosexual married couple. Yet when someone says to me "a marriage is a religious union between a man and a woman..." I can't help but think they are correct. It is about the term "marriage". The bible constantly states this exact idea. It's a good point, and one I find difficult to argue with, even though I still believe that gay couples should have the same rights.
But I digress. I guess when Jeff Cohen drew that diagram on the board of the left and right wings, it gave me some clarity. I think I am a moderate liberal. Which, in wanting to be a member of the media, is a good place to be.
I think in the end I believe in the individual. We are all human, we all have our faults, but thanks to the country we live in we are all able to have our own views on the world. And I am always willing to listen to any ideas. Maybe it will change my mind, maybe my ideas will change yours. Oh, democracy.

PS - Thanks to my parents for letting me explore my own political path...you done good.