It can be tricky to decide which developments to editorialize on, which to let pass by. The general consensus is that there’s little value in giving additional airtime to ill-fated nonsense. There’s an argument to be made, however, for calling ill-fated nonsense out.

With that balancing act in mind, we’ll dedicate a few paragraphs to a lamentable effort in Augusta last week: the decision by a group of Maine Republicans to file for a people’s veto of the two-year state budget (which passed, by simple majority, earlier this month).

“Rep. Gary Drinkwater, R-Milford, is listed as the applicant on the paperwork, which was also signed by Assistant House Minority Leader Katrina Smith, R-Palermo, Rep. Mike Soboleski, R-Phillips, Rep. Kimberly Haggan, R-Hampden, and Sen. David Haggan, R-Hampden,” we reported.

What now? They have until June 18 to submit a minimum of 67,682 voter signatures to place a proposal for a veto on a statewide ballot, exposing Maine to a debilitating months-long government shutdown if, thankfully, it’s a big if, they are secured, validated and acted on.

“The people are crying for Republicans to stand up,” Rep. Katrina Smith told WMTV last week. “This was an effort by legislators who thought this would be a path forward, and we’ll be exploring how that path goes forward from here.”

“We’re under the gun here,” her colleague Rep. Mike Soboleski said, referring to a gun of their own hasty making. “We’ve got to get a lot of work done in a very short period of time.”

You’ll forgive us for not thinking it a particularly good use of time.