An early standout from "The Simpsons" pits Lisa in a battle against herself.
"Mr. Lisa Goes to Washington" starts with a patriotic essay contest. Homer has fallen in love with "Reading Digest," in part because it has taught him how to refashion gingerbread-family cookie cutouts as tools to create "meatloaf men." When he sees an ad for a "patriotic essay" contest, Homer informs Lisa.
Lisa's essay, about freedom, of course wins her a spot among the finalists. She travels to D.C. to enjoy the many aesthetic and culinary offerings of the Watergate Hotel. But, having overheard the plotting of a corrupt politician, she experiences a crisis of faith. Rather than cave in to cynicism, she rewrites her essay, which becomes a stunning indictment of cronyism, "Cesspool on the Potomac." She loses the contest, but she helps to ensure that her bribe-taking nemesis goes to jail (where he becomes a born-again Christian). Lisa's faith in America is restored.
I have such admiration for Lisa, particularly when she chooses to do "the difficult thing." I also like Bart's contribution. When his father asks him to contribute an essay, Bart doesn't miss a beat. "Let's be real, Homer," he says, and he points to his sister. "THAT is the horse you want to bet on."
I'm off for a week (I think). See you soon.
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