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Noted fiscal conservative Midna discusses the merits of a flat tax approach with Link (Screenshot: The Legend Of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD/Nintendo)

In a bold attempt to speak to Americas youths, the Republican Party has apparently thrown itself into the world of video game criticism. For its first foray into this famously lucrative industry, the website of the House GOP published an incredibly insightful thinkpiece entitled What Do the The Legend of Zelda and the American Tax Code Have In Common? The thesis of this groundbreaking essay? The action-adventure game was released in 1986, only one year after Nintendos founding in 1985. And you know what else was released in 1986? Yeah, you do. The last major reform to the American tax code was signed into law in 1986.

After that, it immediately pivots into a GOP spiel about the current tax code strangling small businesses and Zelda is never mentioned again, so yes, thats pretty much the whole article. Now, setting aside the fact that Nintendo wasnt founded in 1985 (thats only approximately 100 years off the mark, but hey, the GOP isnt exactly known for its fact-checking prowess) the article is accurate: That is literally one thing these two completely disparate concepts have in common. 1986 is also the year Pixar was founded, Short Circuit was released, and Geraldo Rivera opened Al Capones infamously empty vault. Coincidence? We think not.

Playing devils advocate (emphasis on devil) for a second, the poor GOP staffer who got roped into writing this has more of a point than they realize. If they were serious about making this comparison and stumping for tax reform while dunking on Zelda, it should have read something like this: Just like our destructive, archaic tax code, The Legend Of Zelda hadnt changed since it was established in 1986. But you know what happened in 2017? The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild was released and completely changed the game. Its time for the GOP to lead the charge for tax reform and do the same!

Then again, if they couldnt even be bothered to Google, What year was Nintendo founded? we shouldnt exactly be surprised when they miss such low-hanging fruit.

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Republicans try comparing Zelda to the American tax code, fail miserably - A.V. Club