> I think I'm slowly coming to the realization though that the news really isn't all that valuable to me, and I read way too much of it, and far too few books.

Keeping up with the news has about as much value as watching soap operas. Maybe it's fun for you and that's fine, but the notion that it's making one a better person or allowing one to contribute meaningfully to society is mostly BS.

Blah, blah, informed electorate. Meanwhile most people have little or no grasp of the basics of political philosophy and economics, the history of both, are terrible critical readers, know little about the actual structure and functions of their government, and so on, so if your concern is being able to evaluate policy so you can make better choices in the voting booth start with those things. Which... means reading books and journals, not the newspaper or Twitter or whatever.

Wading in day-to-day news is useless or harmful without that foundational knowledge—again, except as shallow entertainment, which if that's what you're into and you enjoy it that's fine but don't subject yourself to it because you think it's making your life or anyone else's better. Even with a good understanding of the relevant topics it's mostly a waste of time unless your job is writing about it (as it is for some of the people in TFA).