Ever wonder why Congress seems to have a hard time passing bills on the most important issues?  A bill currently on the House floor provides a window through which those reasons may be viewed.

House Resolution 1091, sponsored by Representative Donald Young (R-AK), focuses its attention away from mundane issues like immigration reform, national security, energy independence, trade, terrorism, and international relations and puts American tax dollars to work by "Honoring the life, achievements, and contributions of Charlton Heston and extending its deepest sympathies to the family of Charlton Heston for the loss of such a great generous man, husband, and father."

Its hard to imagine a better use of public money than to hold off on improving life in America to extol the virtues of the NRA spokesperson's achievements in holding gun rallies in the wake of shooting sprees and a life spent pretending to be someone else.  Not that acting isn't an important art, it's just not something Congress need concern itself with.  That's best left to Entertainment Tonight and celebrity stalkers. 

It's bills like this that enrage the average citizen paying a third of his paycheck to the government.  But its not about how much we're all paying; it's about what we're getting back.  Most people will happily pay taxes to ensure the water is clean and drinkable, the air is free of contaminants, the toys they buy their kids are safe, the bridges they drive on don't collapse, and the country they live in is safe.  However, if a bill hits the house floor and provides zero value for anyone but a handful of family members who shouldn't require an act of Congress to honor their deceased relative, that bill should be tabled immediately.  An angrier person than myself might even call for the bill to be hung on a hall of shame along with the sponsor's picture and the event broadcast to each of the member's constituents by web-TV.  

Taking a look a the list of bills introduced into Congress this week that are similar to the Hes bill, it's easy to see why Congress maintains a 22% job approval rating - eight points below the President's.  

May 6, 2008 

Table Motion to Reconsider: H RES 1168 Congratulating charter schools and their students, parents, teachers, and administrators across the United States for their ongoing contributions to education, and for other purposes

Introduced: H.Res. 1176: Supporting the goals and ideals of National Train Day.
Rep. Corrine Brown [D-FL] introduced this bill.

Introduced: S.Res. 551: A resolution celebrating 75 years of successful State-based alcohol regulation.
Sen. Max Baucus [D-MT] introduced this bill.

Passed Senate: S.Res. 552: A resolution recognizing the 150th anniversary of the State of Minnesota.
Passed Senate by Unanimous Consent.

Introduced: H.R. 5975: To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 101 West Main...
Rep. Michael Arcuri [D-NY] introduced H.R. 5975: To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 101 West Main Street in Waterville, New York, as the "Cpl. John P. Sigsbee Post Office".

Introduced: H.R. 5978: To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 76 Brookside...
Rep. John Hall [D-NY] introduced H.R. 5978: To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 76 Brookside Avenue in Chester, New York, as the "1st Lieutenant Louis Allen Post Office".

Passed Senate: S.Res. 553: A resolution congratulating Charles County, Maryland, on the occasion of its 350th anniversary.
Passed Senate by Unanimous Consent.

May 5, 2008 

H RES 952 To establish a National Teacher’s Day (under suspension of the rules)

Introduced: H.Res. 1173: Recognizing AmeriCorps Week.
Rep. Doris Matsui [D-CA] introduced this bill.

Introduced: H.Con.Res. 341: Celebrating 75 years of effective State-based alcohol regulation and recognizing...
Rep. Bart Stupak [D-MI] introduced H.Con.Res. 341: Celebrating 75 years of effective State-based alcohol regulation and recognizing State lawmakers, regulators, law enforcement officers, the public health community and industry members for creating a workable, legal, and successful system of alcoholic beverage regulation, distribution, and sale.