Resolution points out the problem with this year's legislature

The state of Missouri faces real problems, but you would never know it judging by the amount of time the legislature has wasted with non-binding resolutions criticizing things that are taking place at the federal level.

So even though it will do no good, it still did my heart good to see the filing of HCR 69 today. The resolution, sponsored by Rep. Trent Skaggs, D-Kansas City, includes the following language:

Whereas, the majority leadership of the Missouri House of Representatives believes that seeking solutions to the serious problems facing Missouri is way too difficult; and

Whereas, the majority leadership of the Missouri House of Representatives finds that criticizing Congress is, like, totally easy and great fun as well - way more easy and fun than doing real work; and

Whereas, the Missouri House of Representatives recently passed several nonbinding resolutions futilely seeking to tell Congress how to do its job; and

Whereas, these frivolous entreaties to Congress accomplish nothing and are merely diversions from solving Missouri's budget crisis, improving ethics and accountability in state government, and other vital matters facing the state:

Now, therefore, be it resolved that the members of the House of Representatives of the Ninety-fifth General Assembly, Second Regular Session, the Senate concurring therein, hereby declare that nonbinding resolutions to Congress are a complete waste of time;

Be it further resolved that the Missouri General Assembly requests that the United States Congress ignore all nonbinding resolutions passed by the Missouri General Assembly, which - let's be honest with ourselves here - it is so going to do anyway; and

Be it further resolved that the Missouri General Assembly hereby pledges to stop wasting time on frivolous resolutions and instead focus on meaningful legislation to solve the difficult problems facing the people of Missouri;

The only purpose served by these non-binding resolutions is to avoid making the tough decisions that need to be made this year and instead score points with the electorate by trying to cash in on hot-button issues.