Does anyone else here live in a "gray" world?

I'm that way. I'm not a Democrat or Republican. I think you should own guns, but something needs to be done. I'm for the death penalty, but not always.

That's why I'm done with the gun threads and might stick around for a couple of pages on the political and other controversial threads. The polarizing people on the right and left dominate and take over. It's not worth getting angry over a discussion on a message board. It's not worth trying to have a civil discussion; big waste of time.

Me

Well not really gray but multi colored. lol I can certainly see more sides of each situation than when I was younger and eveything seemed so cut and dry, this OR that.

Now I'm more a little of this and some of that and I can understand where the 'other' side is coming from. I get things even when I don't agree with them. It takes life experiences to get to this point. Some people are so sheltered that they won't.

I can rarely say 'I'll never' Or I'll always. For example the Hillary thread last month some people said they could never vote for Hillary. BUT with options like Trump and Kanye I CANT say never because she's better than those choices to me for sure.

Another thing when I was younger I was all 'wait for * the one* and be 'good' and all that. but now in my wisdom im not so sure there is a * the one* or that anyone could be * the one* if they were so inclined to listen to you and treat you with respect. I'm pretty sure now actually that attractive qualities to me are how you treat me on a regular basis. I'm sort of Over 'looks' as attractive qualities if you know what I mean. And also the waiting thing is Over rated, or maybe the word is over pressured especially to females. Because it's a valid choice but often people are pressure into it as opposed to choosing. Educate, give knowledge and choose carefully. BUT definitely choose for yourself as opposed to doing what people want you to do. It ought to be a free choice without Shame no matter how you choose.

Ok off the soapbox but yes I can rarely see things so one sided any more.

You said this so perfectly! Couldn't agree more.

This has been my stance. I often can see both sides of the argument. I am not strictly one party or another. Sometimes the Republican candidate is a better choice. Sometimes the Democrat is. This bothers some people I know. Oftentimes a blanket policy is not the best one. I believe there is no good answer to all of the hot button topics.

I'm the same way. I can see things I agree with on both sides of things (not just politics). When it comes to religion I refuse to be lumped into a specific one but I also feel like "is Jesus real or is this all a bunch of nonsense" then I have people telling me it's either/or I can't fall down the middle. Honestly it's all confusing and I'm sure I'm making no sense lol but I just don't see *most* things as black and white. I have lots of opinions about things but I'm always open to seeing others point of view and sometimes others don't think that's right..they feel I should pick a team.

What I have done outside of the home is largely analytical and often based in problem solving. I think I look at politics and current events in the same manner. Of course all of that is through a lens based on my life experiences. I think for me the gray area comes in when emotion is involved.

Also, not every issue is as complex as politicians would have us believe. Going on in the the background behind closed doors, deals are bring cut to take care of someone's interest often at the expense of middle class Americans who are the backbone of our society - and we are Republicans, Democrats and Independents - getting screwed in equal fashion.

As I've gotten older, there are some things that I'm more willing to flex on now than I maybe would have when I was younger, and other things that while I'm pretty firmly in one camp I'm willing to hear out the views of someone in the other camp without getting the flamethrowers out. I may or may not end up in agreement, but I'm willing to listen to another person's POV respectfully. I can often see the point of both sides of a discussion as long as people are being respectful and thoughtful about presenting their views.

There are plenty of things that work for me and my family that may or may not work for (general) you or your family. And really, as long as what you do actually WORKS for you, who am I to tell you your way is wrong? I may disagree with it *FOR ME* but hey, if it works for you, more power to you. I think there are a lot of times where one side or the other thinks their way is the only way, when in fact there can be *many* right ways.

In general, I am very black and white. I enjoy hearing the "other" side because it helps me to understand why our opinions differ.

There are times that can be gray, but I don't care for it.

In fact, all through high school I wanted to be an attorney and my mind was set. Then I took business law. It was: this is how the law is interpreted....except in this situation far too often and I knew it would eat me up. I like structure and rules so black and white is comfortable for me.

Is is there any room at the decision making table for someone who says "I don't have all of the answers, but I am willing to listen to all ideas and help broker a compromise?"
==================================================

I think we used to call the ones willing to listen and compromise "Statesmen."
In politics, those were the ones trying to do what was best for the nation, not just what is best for the particular political party.
We have fewer and fewer of those in our legislative bodies.

grey - that's a good way of looking at it. I consider myself to be a moderate free-thinker but grey works as well.

I can be black and white and gray some times. I can also be black on pqrt of an issue, white on another part, and gray on per of it

Oddly or funnily or something, I often argue one way here and the opposite of facebook.

sometimes because I hear the other side of the argument here and take it there.
Other times because the person posting on fb is extreme one way or the other.
Sometimes I argue one side with an extreme democrat and the other side with an extreme republican because I don't think either is correct.

One of the things that I love most about this board is the differing opinions on so many issues. The amount of times I will read a thread and find myself nodding my head in agreement of Opinion A, then the next Pea will put forward the opposite side and I think "Hang on, I agree with Opinion B too!"

There are some things that I am completely black and white on however.

To me everything is so blended that it becomes grey.
Politics are over my head though but being on one side of anything doesn't allow variety, and I need opportunities that allow variety.
I'm way more with the spiritual life than the physical, but if I completely side with just the spiritual, my foundation disappears. Gotta stay grounded