I like it when things are black and white. It just makes life easier. There is no waffling back and forth. The answer is clear.

Take for instance, if I don’t have the funds to buy a brand-new vehicle, I don’t even look.
Simple. Black and white.

However, if I did have a stash of cash sitting around burning a hole in my pocket and a pretty new white, say, Land Cruiser happens by, I might start to contemplate whether or not I should take a test drive. And if I took a test drive and liked said Land Cruiser, then I would have to decide whether or not I wanted to buy it or hang on to my savings.

I mean, I really could use a new ride. But what if something unexpected came up and I needed money, but had spent it on a vehicle?

See what I mean? There are pros and cons, leaving room for shades of gray. And no, I am not talking about the salacious book that came out some years ago.

I am referring to the decision-making zone that is couched in reality — more grays than blacks and whites.

For me, this current situation with the government and jobs in our community is a testament to the grays.

Gray, because I would imagine that no matter what side of the political aisle you are on, you want to support a more fiscally responsible government. I mean, who is not worried about the long-term consequences that could happen if we don’t begin to make some changes?

But as we all know, for anyone – be it a family, a business or our government – the only way to get out of debt is to quit spending, and that means decisions have to be made; some decisions that can affect others.

While we need to get out of debt, who wants to see folks lose their jobs? That never feels warm and fuzzy. And in a community that employs so many government workers, it cuts to the core even more. But like other business entities, sometimes this happens and there is no black and white to be found.

And if you think my words may seem unsympathetic to those who have lost, or may lose, their positions, I am not. One of my family members lost her job before Christmas and it’s been tough. Not just financially, but also emotionally. I have also seen others in our community lose their jobs through the years. It’s gut-wrenching and you become angry with those responsible. And sometimes you feel guilty that you are still working.

It’s black and white when someone loses their job for misconduct, inability or laziness, but when you lose your job because of cutbacks, it’s just gray. And like others in our community, I find myself caught in the quagmire of the gray area, with hopes it will land on the lighter side of the color spectrum.

Terri Cowart Frazier writes features for The Vicksburg Post. She can be reached at terri.frazier@vicksburgpost.com.