With all that is going on in the world today it might be a good time to pause and take a look at some events and give readers a chance to formulate their own decisions.

            News media outlets and social media give you their takes on matters that you may or may not have drawn your own conclusions on.

            Take a minute and think about these items.

            Are there discussions currently being held to end the war in Iran?  Some people say yes, some people say no.  United States officials say yes; Iran officials say no.  Perhaps the talks are being held between U.S. officials and wannabe Iranian officials who are not officially officials yet. Perhaps the talks are through a third-party intermediary.

            But the attacks continue.  Will they end soon?

            Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel are now helping out Transportation Security Administration (TSA) staff at some airports due to staffing shortages caused by the impasse in Congress to provide the TSA employees with paychecks that have been missed for the last three pay periods.  Many TSA employees are calling in sick and hundreds have resigned.  They need to feed their families and pay their bills so you can't blame them.

            Some folks are glad for the extra help in moving the lines of people waiting to go through the airport security checkpoints; some think having ICE personnel at the airports is a bad idea.

            If only our elected officials could come to some sort of compromise to get the TSA workers paid and back on the job.

            It's the Republicans' fault.  It's the Democrats' fault.  The TSA workers suffer.

            Will the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act disenfranchise over 20 million American citizens (according to New York Senator Chuck Schumer) or will it block any legitimate voters?  Will it make it difficult for some unknown number of people to register and cast a vote or is showing an ID in order to vote an unreasonable ask?

            Is there a compromise to be made, or are our elected officials intent on standing their ground and getting nothing done?

            Pennsylvania has not raised its minimum wage since 2009 where it's been sitting at $7.25 an hour.  A bill recently passed by the PA House would raise it to $11 an hour starting on Jan. 1, 2027. It would then increase to $13 an hour in 2028 and $15 an hour in 2029, followed by annual cost-of-living adjustments.

            The bill now goes to the State Senate.  Should the Senate approve it and send it along to Governor Shapiro's desk for his signature or should they vote it down and keep the minimum wage at $7.25?

            These are just a few things for you to think about and, perhaps, contact the office of your state and/or national elected officials to share your thoughts.  Liking a post on social media may be easy but it will not have as much impact as your personal contact with elected officials.

            Think about it.