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Politics is a common theme in the Animated Television Series ''''' The Simpsons ''''', and this phenomenon has had some crossover with real American Politics . US Conservatives have voiced opposition to the show, perhaps because ''The Simpsons'' has mocked traditional authority figures such as teachers and parents. US President George H.W. Bush has even said that the US needs to be closer to '' The Waltons '' than to ''The Simpsons'' (interestingly enough, fellow conservative President and also his son, George W. Bush is an admitted fan of the show). If the show has a Liberal slant, this was joked about in the episode " The Simpsons 138th Episode Spectacular ," in which reference was made to "hundreds of radical right-wing messages inserted into every show by creator Matt Groening ." More recently, however, US Republicans have adopted a derisive ''Simpsons'' term for the French , " Cheese-eating Surrender Monkeys ." Political affiliations of ''Simpsons'' characters have also been speculated on {Link without Title} . ''See Political Affiliations below.'' Political topics addressed on ''The Simpsons'' include Gay Marriage (in the episode " There's Something About Marrying "), Gun Rights , and Election Campaigns . POLITICAL AFFILIATIONS This is a list of characters on ''The Simpsons'' by their political affiliation. Republicans
One of the Springfield Republicans' evil plots was to rename everything after Ronald Reagan , a reference to the Ronald Reagan Legacy Project which aims to attach Reagan's name to landmarks in every U.S. State and County (see List Of Things Named After Ronald Reagan ). The Springfield Republican Party headquarters is an isolated lair, usually a Transylvanian castle on a mountain, which is usually depicted amid flashes of lightning and ominously spooky mood music. According to Episode 1F15, "Bart Gets an Elephant", the attendees of the Republican Convention are described as "We want what's worst for everyone" and "We're just plain evil." Democrats
A statue of the 39th President, Jimmy Carter, was built in Springfield with the sign "Malaise Forever!" and was referred to (ironically) as "History's greatest monster!". According to Episode 1F15, "Bart Gets an Elephant", the attendees of the Democratic Convention are described as "We hate life and ourselves" and "We can't govern". Communists
ELECTION CAMPAIGNS AND CORRUPTION Several episodes seemingly critique how election campaigns are run. For example, in his campaign for governor, Mr. Burns blatantly lies about a embarrasses self, nation". In " Bart Gets An Elephant ", the Republican Party is shown to be "We're pure evil" while the Democrats have "We can't govern" and "We hate ourselves". (see above) In the episode " Mr. Lisa Goes To Washington ," Lisa Simpson witnesses her representative, Congressman Bob Arnold, receive a Bribe , and subsequently her Patriotism is severely damaged. However, the show goes on to depict his downfall with his removal from Congress, and Lisa's confidence in the system is restored. In '' See Homer Run '', Mayor Quimby faced corruption charges and accidentally quoted the town charter which allowed Recall Election s. Over two hundred people ran (in an obvious parody of the 2003 California Recall ) including Rainer Wolfcastle (also spoofing A Certain Austrian who won the election) and even Homer. Homer was a sure-win, but at a debate his Safety Salamander costume, which was the reason for his popularity, tore apart. In the end, no one received the five percent needed and Quimby won the election. GOVERNMENT POWER as President Of The United States ]] Occasionally, complaints about overtaxation can be seen in ''The Simpsons'', such as in " The Trouble With Trillions ," in which Mr. Burns, Homer, and Smithers actually leave the US, claiming it was due to its Tax es-- however, it should be noted that Burns was also wanted by the FBI for Grand Grand Grand Grand Larceny , and this was likely the real reason for their flight. In " Bart To The Future ," the public reacts unfavorably to a proposed tax raise by Lisa (by then President). Contemporary concerns about Judicial Power are reflected by the judge giving Principal Skinner a false identity in " The Principal And The Pauper " and limiting Free Speech by ruling that anyone who speaks of this should be Torture d. The episode " Homer Vs. The Eighteenth Amendment " can be seen as a statement against Prohibition , as a Prohibition scheme fails in the episode, and an officer charged with enforcing the law is Catapult ed out of town. While " The Cartridge Family " clearly mocks irresponsibility with firearms hiding behind the Second Amendment , Krusty is seen making a speech about how guns are valuable ''if'' handled responsibly. TRADE UNIONS A Satire on Collective Bargaining is presented in the episode " Last Exit To Springfield ". The episode makes reference to Union corruption, when Homer is told corruption is the only way he can be financially rewarded as union leader. In fact, the previous, now-deceased union leader is not missed by anyone. Furthermore, Homer considers union ties to Organized Crime a job perk. However, the episode also depicts the union as effectively saving the company Dental plan through Strike Action . Nevertheless, in " The PTA Disbands ," Homer later speaks out against striking and instead advocates Sloth in the workplace. IMMIGRATION ''The Simpsons'' has also covered Immigration controversies in the episode " Much Apu About Nothing ." The episode seems to suggest legal controversies can be driven by a larger public's outright hostility towards immigrants. SEE ALSO EXTERNAL LINKS |
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