When controversial problem remains unsolved, "there is a simple solution" means that you think that people in power could have solved this already but they have

When controversial problem remains unsolved, "there is a simple solution" means that you think that people in power could have solved this already but they haven't because they are evil or stupid or both, and "there are no easy solutions" means that you don't really want to do anything and would like to be not blamed for the outcomes. It's the same as when people talk about politicization, free speech, etc.