I spend an inordinate amount of time trying to determine whether announcements and signals by politicians, important people and talking heads are worth acting upon or worrying about. I’m not saying what we hear on TV is inaccurate, but it pays to dig deep when trying to decipher the words of slick media and public relations people.

Rather than examining grand announcements in the abstract, why not take a peek at recent announcements and decide whether they are helpful or troublesome. Here are a few that caught my eye:

Situation #1: Iran negotitions with the US. The leaders of the Iranian government are insisting they will never give up the fight against the US and will counter punch all actions by the US and its allies. Are these people serious about challenging the US military? Every time Iran launches missiles or drones that have very little effect, mostly they are shot down by defensive systems, the US then strikes back and damages important strategic assets of Iran. The tradeoffs are not equal.

It’s crazy. When Iran misbehaves, the US spanks the Iran regime. As time goes by, the targets of the US will become more infrastructural and will cost billions of dollars to replace. Before long the Iranian government will not have enough resources to feed its citizens. The attitude and actions of Iran’s leaders are incredibly short sighted. Iran is making poor decisions for the long term benefit of their people. Of course, if Iran surrenders who knows what the new government will do to former government officials. They will likely hang them upside down.

Situation #2: The Maine Senatorial Campaign. Graham Platner was running as a Democrat against Susan Collins for a Senate seat. A barrage of sexual activity and commentary have plagued Platner and caused him to give up his efforts to win the Senate seat. Nevertheless, Maine Democrats supported this man until just recently. The last straw was an allegation of sexual misconduct of a woman five years ago.

How incompetent were the Maine Democrats for supporting Platner even before the latest assault accusation? Democrats need to have more sensitivity when it comes to candidate shortcomings and misbehavior of their candidates and supporters.

The seat is critical because a good candidate would probably defeat Susan Collins. The Senate is very close in terms of its split between Republicans and Democrats. Democrats should have chosen a squeaky clean candidate to run against Collins.

Situation #3: Neverending support of non-government agencies. Democrats have used money as a conduit to voters. In essence, liberals seek out causes that need money and ask the beneficiaries for a vote later on. They buy votes. There is no accounting for these funds, and they continue to cash in endlessly.

Too often a social cause for urban daycare, new lunch programs, etc., continue to fund after the need has subsided. Who is receiving all the money if not needy people?

This is a perfect example of pork barrel politics. Billions of dollars are frittered away each year.

Situation #4: Democratic support of unpopular social programs. It seems that every day Democrats propose support for outrageous organizations or causes. One of the most ridiculous ones is the proposed ability of men to play on teams of women. There are many reasons why this is unfair and dangerous. As an example, a man who participates in woman’s basketball would have both height and strength advantages over women.

Another proposal is to allow men to use women’s lavatories. There is far and wide debate and disagreement with this proposal.

And finally, there are ultra-liberal individuals who seek to make sex changing information available to children who are very young without approval of parents.

Situation #5: Calling for the reduction of law enforcement. The nationwide demand to decrease law enforcement is something we hear about on a daily basis. In fact, the people we hear this from are participants in the protests that are occurring throughout the US.

All you need to do is watch TV and you can understand why the country has become much more dangerous, and decreasing police coverage would be foolish.

There are several million people in the country without permission. They are illegal immigrants and include many criminals and troublemakers. It is in the best interest of our country to find these criminals and to send them back to their home countries.

By allowing these criminals to roam throughout the country only causes them to be more troublesome and violent against law abiding citizens. When I see people fighting with police officers, I scratch my head and wonder how our country would suffer without any of these soldiers to protect us.

Situation #6: Ensuring a legitimate voting process. It’s true that Donald Trump has spent a lot of time whining about unfair elections, and elections that were rigged. I have mixed feelings about Trump’s obsession with voting in the US.

But he’s right to fight for elections without any interference from other countries. Americans depend upon a fair vote and should accept nothing short of it.

Most of the new features of voting systems are risky, fraught with problems relating to handling and counting of ballots. It’s hard to believe that voting is so antiquated in the US. Electronic voting is vulnerable as well. For a country as advanced as the US it is sad and dangerous that safer methods are not used.

Generally speaking, most of the voting innovations have been provided by Democrats. It seems like Democrats are prepared to accept unqualified voters with the expectation that these people become citizens and vote for liberal causes.

Situation #7: Support of the Iran war. It is disappointing that Americans are not 100% supportive of the Iran war. The Iranians have initiated a very rocky relationship with the US since the ayatollahs took over. Iran has fomented trouble by using proxies. It encourages bloodshed and never lives up to treaties it signs with other countries.

This would not be a problem if Iran was not trying to build a nuclear arsenal. If Iran developed a bomb and used it against Israel, which it has threatened to do, it would turn the region and the whole world upside down.

It is righteous that the US has demanded an end to Iran’s nuclear program. So why don’t all Americans support a strong response to Iran even if it results in a conventional war with Iran. It one of the few times since the Civil War that all Americans we’re not supportive of the government.