Happy Train Appreciation Day!  Oh, you didn’t know it was Train Appreciation Day?  Neither did anybody else and it was this past Sunday, so don’t feel bad if you missed it.  Apparently, Congress regularly passes resolutions establishing pseudo-holidays and resolutions of support for all sorts of things that are either: a) insignificant; b) blatant pandering to special interests; or c) down right non-sequitur.

For instance, Congress has passed a resolution congratulating University of North Carolina men’s basketball team for the National Championship, recognizing the importance of NASCAR, supporting the goals and ideals of national public works week, national charter schools week, global youth service day, national community college day, motorcycle safety week, and commemorating the 50th anniversary of Marshmallow Peeps.

I am so glad that Congress has time to introduce, debate, and vote on these resolutions.  It’s not like they have more important business to attend to.  Oh wait, I just checked the newspaper – they do have more important things to introduce, debate and vote on! 

Our economy is in the dumper, our health care is too expensive and antiquated, and our environment is deteriorating.  NASCAR?  Community colleges (a.k.a. high school with ash trays)?  Marshmallow Peeps?  I mean, come on! 

This is nothing new mind you.  Over the past 30 years Congress has wasted time with resolutions that have nothing to do with the business of running the country.  Congressional leaders claim that they use these pointless resolutions to keep law makers in town so that they can caucus and meet in their respective committees and therefore speed-up the legislative process.  Otherwise, they claim, law makers will go back to their districts.  So, they claim, these ridiculous resolutions are a necessary evil. 

To which I ask: isn’t it your job to be leaders?  Can’t you, as a Congressional leader, tell the Congressmen and Congresswomen to not go back to their districts and to stay in town  and caucus etc. to help the legislative process keep moving?  WTF?  You are supposed to be a leader.  Lead these people!

The sheer fact that our government has to waste its time, and consequently our money, passing meaningless resolutions because Congressional leaders don’t have the gumption to effectively manage its people drives me crazy.  It sounds like something the Politburo would do, not US Congress.  I don’t want my congressmen and women to waste their fricken time discussing UNC basketball, I want them discussing the things that actually matter to my quality of life.  Stop with the ridiculous congressional resolutions, and start with the doing your effing job!