There are many complex issues out there today, and the media too often takes a "one side - other side" stance in reporting them without giving the least hint as to which one might be a better choice, or at least not batshit insane. This is especially true in the case of anything deemed political. Can't show any bias, after all.
Now, there's no excuse for not studying up on really important issues - if you have time and expertise - or failing that, looking to those who have demonstrated good judgment on similar issues in the past for guidance. (If you can take any time at all, that is.)
Still, here's a suggestion that might simplify matters. Ask these two questions.
1) Is a proposed idea, policy, or action something Republicans are in favor of?
If your answer is "Yes", it is probably something you really shouldn't consider, given their track record on just about everything. But if you're still leaning toward "Yes" anyway, or can't decide, ask yourself the second question.
2) Am I a billionaire?
If your answer is "No", then that is a definite sign you should steer clear.
If there is any lesson to be learned from the last 40 years, it's that asking those two questions would have saved us all from a lot of grief. There are other ways to go wrong, of course, but by now it should be obvious that this is a lesson to be ignored at one's peril.
As an exercise, see how many examples you can come up with that this test would raise red flags about. "Is the TPP a good idea?" "Should we build Keystone XL?" "Should we run government more like a business?" "How about more charter schools?" "How about closing the borders, getting rid of the EPA, OSHA, the SEC, the FCC, etc. etc."