Did the Assault Weapons Ban kill gun control?

[spin]

66. Over the years I have learned not to lump people together. ...

It makes life far simpler as you pick your side of any issue and start to feel that you are right and they are wrong. Soon you start to believe that you and your side are much smarter than those who disagree with you. Eventually you start calling those who hold the opposite position names.

But people are complicated and a person's views are largely determined by their life experiences and upbringing. Issues are not black and white but shades of gray and we do not live in a simple world of just right and wrong. Often we see a simple solution to a problem and find that applying it leads to unintended consequences and our solution causes far more problems than it resolves.

I learned to listen to the views of those who I disagree with and to carefully consider the value of their points. It's not my object to change their position but to learn something from them and also to be able to critically analyze my own view for faults. Over the years I have changed my opinion on several issues.

I feel that if more people and especially those we elect to represent us would sit down to discuss issues in a polite and respectful manner we might be able to find areas we can compromise on and end up living in a better nation. Unfortunately I fear the art of debate and compromise has been lost during my lifetime and all we do now is bicker for power and control.

I agree with you that disagreeing on a point or two is not all that important and feel that looking for a middle ground is a better approach.