Mr. Lisa Goes to Washington
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"Mr. Lisa Goes to Washington"
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Episode Information
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Mr. Lisa Goes to Washington is the second episode of The Simpsons' third season, and aired on September 26, 1991.
Lisa enters an essay-writing contest (the topic being what makes America great), and her inspiring essay, "The Roots of Democracy," wins the family a trip to the national finals in Washington, D.C. She is disillusioned, however, when she witnesses Congressman Bob Arnold accepting a bribe in exchange for allowing Springfield National Fores to be razed. Lisa changes her essay into a bitter denunciation of corruption in government, which includes exposing Arnold's bribe-taking. Lisa doesn't win the contest, but her faith in the system is restored when Arnold is arrested and expelled from Congress.
Synopsis
After a free copy of Reading Digest magazine is sent to the Simpson residence, Homer gets very interested in the magazine. When he sees the kids are loafing in front of the TV, he shuts it off and orders them to read a book instead. He also encourages Lisa to enter a contest in which an essay must be written about what makes America great. Lisa takes a trip to Springfield National Forest and is inspired to write her essay when she sees the forest's natural beauty and when a bald eagle lands right by the branch she is sitting under. Lisa's essay impresses the judges in the local competition, except one, who thinks that maybe Homer had a hand in its creation. However, after the judge observes Homer's poor vocabulary and realizes that he could not have written Lisa's essay for her, Lisa is approved for entry in the national finals in Washington, DC after the contest.
While Bart and Homer abuse the all expense-paid perks of their trip, Lisa visits famous monuments for inspiration. At one particular monument, she overhears a bribe taking place about demolishing Springfield National Forest. Heartbroken and disillusioned by the dishonesty of government officials, Lisa tears up her essay, and wanders through the Capitol looking for guidance.
She visits both the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials, before ending up on the steps of the Capitol. Seeing a number of politicians there, She decides to write a more painful yet truthful essay to show the patriotic judges. The new essay, entitled "Cesspool on the Potomac" disdains and condemns the government system, and mentions the names of those involved in the bribery. Lisa's essay causes a ruckus and elicits a hostile reaction from the judges and audience.
Everyone is shocked by her speech, except for Bart, who likes it and wants Lisa to win the contest. Messages are quickly sent around the capital regarding Lisa's speech and the corrupt congressman is arrested and expelled from Congress before the contest is over. Lisa's essay does not win because of its content, but with the congressman arrested, her faith in government is restored. The episode ends with Bart shooting the pianist that he had found annoying with his slingshot. When Lisa reprimands Bart for doing so, he explains that she taught him to 'stand up for what he believes in.'
Controversy
This episode was met with controversy from the timber company due to a major part of the plotline involving a Timber lobbyist trying to bribe a corrupt congressman to cut down the entirety of Springfield Forest.
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