Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius was given the prime time opportunity to provide the Democratic response to the President’s State of the Union speech this year, which is often reserved for a party up-and-comer to show off her wares.  Apparently, the Sebelius family had  more to sell than the Dems knew.

John Sebelius, 23, has the backing of his mother and father, U.S. Magistrate Judge Gary Sebelius. The governor’s spokeswoman, Nicole Corcoran, said both parents “are very proud of their son John’s creativity and talent.”

And why are Mom and Dad so proud? 

The son of Gov. Kathleen Sebelius is peddling a board game titled “Don’t Drop the Soap,” a prison-themed game he created as part of a class project at the Rhode Island School of Design.

Excuse me?  And what exactly does that title refer to?

“Fight your way through 6 different exciting locations in hopes of being granted parole,” the site says. “Escape prison riots in The Yard, slip glass into a mob boss’ lasagna in the Cafeteria, steal painkillers from the nurse’s desk in the Infirmary.”

The game includes five tokens representing a bag of cocaine, a handgun and three characters: wheelchair-using ‘Wheelz,” muscle-flexing “Anferny” and business suit-clad “Sal ‘the Butcher.”

So let me get this clear, this is an exciting new board game about criminals surviving prison by committing internal crimes while avoiding being buggered in the shower room?  I don’t know whether to laugh or cry.  Did Governor Mommy and Judge Daddy raise their son to create a game that satirizes the horrific state of the American prison system, or does this reflect a belief that the harm that comes to those incarcerated makes for high comedy?  The image created by the name of the game is certainly going to make it a big draw no matter what.

I bet you’re asking yourself, so how do I get my hands on this challenger to Scrabble for board game hegemony?

The game costs “$34.99, plus packaging, shipping and handling. The contact information on the Web site lists the address of the governor’s mansion.”  Small bills are preferred.  After you’ve given it a whirl, let me know whether this was as much fun as it sounds.

In fairness, the game is intended for mature audiences, not children, and is “simply intended for entertainment,” according to Corcoran.   That’s a relief.