For dreamers like me, the Rainbow Connection seems distant. Our political climate has abandoned what I consider the Muppet spirit: a celebration of wistfulness, a collective made strong by diversity and humble and transparent leadership.

Contemporary politics has been like shadow puppets: projections designed to obscure the causes of our dysfunctional society. The Muppets offer an alternative, a cast of imperfect characters inviting us to engage and invest. I see this alternative in Graham Platner.

Miss Piggy is bold in the face of naysayers. “Inexperienced” is what we hear about working-class candidates who speak clearly about corruption. “Competent” describes insiders who are effective fundraisers, yet disconnected from real struggle. Janet Mills’ battle cry, “See you in court,” is farcical considering a slow-moving judiciary that is unable to contain a lawless executive branch.

Fozzie Bear is resilient when success isn’t easy. Unwilling to debate policy, the Mills campaign deployed mudslinging. While Mills fires off personal attacks, Graham follows Fozzie’s lead: We are all works in progress. In an era when political radicalization thrives on “canceling” and “owning,” Graham demonstrates accountability and growth.

Statler and Waldorf encourage us to speak uncomfortable truths. Mills is irresponsible in her bid to be Maine’s 80-year-old junior senator, imperiling our Senate seniority for decades. Graham’s message rings true because people ache to plainly name what plagues us: parasitic elites creating inequality incompatible with democracy. 

The Muppets aren’t great because they’re flawless. They’re great because they teach us how to be ourselves, together.

Nicole Gorsun
Sanford