WASHINGTON – The makers of hit show Sesame Street have invited members of congress to a special taping of the show designed to teach them how governments should work.
The US risks defaulting on its financial obligations if a budget deal is not struck by August 2nd, with both sides failing to get beyond party rhetoric.
Along with the president, leading members of Congress interacted with the Sesame Street cast as they negotiated an agreement on the trash ceiling: the upper limit of garbage Oscar the Grouch is allowed to pile up around his sidewalk home.
‘G’ is for government
Executive producer Carol-Lynn Parente believes the show, a hit with pre-schoolers, could teach members of congress the fundamentals of the job they have been elected to do.
“We’ve crafted a range of fun and visually stimulating scenarios to engage them,” she explained. “With the very complex subject of deciding whether to keep the economy running or not, sometimes you just need to go back to basics.”
Another scenario saw Cookie Monster learn to manage the cookie supply, responsibly managing consumption and distribution so he wouldn’t be forced to beg China for more in the future.
Early reactions were positive, but there were worrying signs with many congressmen said to be ‘visually stunned’ when an amicable decision between Oscar, Big Bird, Elmo and Grover was arrived at well within the show’s 60 minute duration.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, House majority leader Eric Cantor struggled to understand why the cookies weren’t reserved for the top 2% of Sesame Street earners.
Rosemarie Truglio, VP for education and research advised that not every congressmen would be able to grasp the concepts of constructive and respectful dialogue right away. “Eric just needs some time to wrap his mind around it.”
‘Can you tell me how to get to a consensus?’
Despite reports that “Barack was a little confused when Big Bird showed leadership to bring all sides to an agreement,” Parente was optimistic the lessons would sink in.
She did show concern however when at one point John Boehner asked when the muppets would start the petty squabbling and name calling.
“We’ve successfully educated difficult children before but this was a real struggle,” she confessed wearily. “Many of them have no real idea of how to overcome bi-partisan bickering to reach a compromise.”
“We’ve tried to make it a simple as we can. If they don’t get it now, we’re screwed.”
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