By Mitchel Olszak
CNHI News Service

So what do you think should be done with Medicare, which is running out of money?

And how about the future solvency of Social Security? Do you have an informed position on that?

How should America respond to the violence in assorted Arab nations, or the threats from Islamic extremists cropping up around the planet? Are there additional countries America should invade? Do we need to reinstate the draft?

Is there a way to pay for an expanding military presence around the globe?

Speaking of money, the federal budget is staring at a deficit of more than $1 trillion for the third year in a row. The economic recovery is showing signs of weakness.

School districts across the country are scaling back because of tight budgets. Yet we’re constantly told that education is the best way to make sure our young people are competitive in a world economy. How does all of this play out?

These are all important and complicated issues. Anyone who suggests otherwise is either delusional or deceptive. These problems demand honest assessment, analysis and discussion, as well as the undivided attention of the American people.

All this, of course, brings us to Anthony Weiner, Sarah Palin and John Edwards.

As we all know by now, Weiner is the latest in a long line of congressmen to wind up in a sex scandal. After making up a story that hackers had sent inappropriate photos from his Twitter account, he fessed up as the truth was about to emerge.

Now Washington is embroiled in another sex scandal, with fellow Democrats quietly hoping Weiner quits. Meanwhile, Republicans publicly demand that Weiner resign and privately hope he hangs on. He makes for an easy and attention-grabbing punching bag.

Former Alaska governor and maybe (or maybe not) presidential candidate Palin remains a media obsession. That’s because the public either loves or hates her. As a result, anything she does is news, even when she is deliberately traveling around the country refusing to reveal her destination.

Palin knows this stunt will get her even more publicity for a junket she says is designed to help Americans better understand their history. It was all going fairly well until Palin met up with Paul Revere.

During a trip to Boston, Palin offered an appalling description of Revere. It was mostly incoherent, and what little one could understand was just plain wrong.

For those of us who are familiar with him, the revolutionary Revere is a fascinating character, deserving of far better treatment than the nonsense Palin spewed about him. The next time she decides to educate her fellow citizens on American history, she should start with herself.

Moving on, it’s disturbing to think that a sleaze like John Edward came close to being elected vice president of the United States. It turned out that the glib and polished politician — who presented himself as a steadfast family man — was anything but.

After lying about it, and then repeatedly reshaping his lie, Edwards eventually admitted to fathering a child out of wedlock, while his wife was dealing with terminal cancer. The coverup, which included payments to his mistress, has become one of the more repugnant episodes in American politics.

Edwards now faces charges that he illegally used campaign funds to support his mistress. He’s a class act all around.

The likes of Weiner, Palin and Edwards offer mostly shabby and superficial entertainment. We need to dismiss them for what they are and move on to more important matters.

Mitchel Olszak is a columnist for the New Castle (Pa.) News.