State Assembly Visits Marriage Counselor - Tries Role Playing

Madison - The State Assembly today, back in town for a veto-override session, participated in a role-playing session. Wikipedia states that "In role-playing, participants adopt the role of characters, or parts, that have personalities, motivations, and backgrounds different from their own." It is viewed as one of the most common and oft used forms of counseling.

The Democratic-Republican relationship has continued to sour over the years as the two have drifted further and further apart. In an attempt to remedy the situation, the two have agreed to see a marriage counselor after a show of mutual reluctance.

"All the Democrats ever do is get up and bitch, bitch, bitch about things they have absolutely no control over," said a Republican. "Just sit down and shut up, you're not going to change the outcome of anything."

"All I want to do is have a conversation," countered a Democrat. "The Republicans just sit there with their mouth shut and won't even recognize us. I just want to talk!"

Recently, their marriage counselor suggested a common form of therapy known as role playing. It was suggested that the two try to pretend they are in the other person's shoes and to act out what they perceive to be the problematic behavior of their partner.

Following up on doctor's orders, Republicans spent the day talking, complaining and nearly screaming about things they have no control over and for which they already know the outcome. Playing their part, Democrats sat quietly, ignoring the outbursts from across the aisle. At times, each side broke character and resorted back to their usual self, but it was generally viewed as a successful role playing session.

Citing doctor-patient confidentiality, their marriage counselor refused to answer any questions about the relationship's outlook. The doctor's only comment was that "we should have a better sense of things in 5 or 6 months."