Massive Snowstorm Doesn't Cool Temperatures in D.C.

Written by Michael M. Shapiro

Michael M. Shapiro is an attorney who resides in new Providence, NJ.  He currently serves as the Editor of The Alternative Press, New Jersey's all-online daily hyperlocal newspaper covering Berkeley Heights, Chatham Borough, Chatham Township, Livingston, Madison, Millburn/Short Hills, New Providence, Summit and Westfield.

A massive snowstorm dumped approximately two feet of snow in the Washington, D.C. area this past week, but it did nothing to cool the political heat that continues to intensify as members of both political parties count down to Election Day 2012.

This week, in addressing the Tea Party Convention, Congressman Tom Tancredo said those "who could not spell the word vote or say it in English" elected a "committed socialist ideologue" because the United States does not require a "civics literacy test."

On the left, all Democrats could talk about was how Sarah Palin had some notes written on her hand that she appeared to use as a crib sheet for her presentation before the same convention.

Meanwhile, the deficit continues to increase, homes continue to be foreclosed upon, the jobless largely remain so, and healthcare costs and the price tag for entitlement programs steadily increase, all while those who still have jobs are working longer hours for less pay.  These are the issues the American people care about.  These are the same issues that Washington doesn’t seem to be able to alleviate let alone resolve.

It would seem that instead of the members of both political parties engaging in hyperbolic rhetoric that continues to escalate each day, they would best serve themselves and the country by proposing and presenting thoughtful, detailed plans aimed at helping to resolve these issues. They should then defend their proposals in open and free debate with the members of the opposition Party, and finally, an up or down vote should be taken by our elected representatives, who can then be held accountable for their votes.

Should they continue on their current path, instead of voters punishing either one Party or the other, they may punish both.  Independent candidacies by Tea Party folks in conservative districts coupled with similar candidacies by liberal Democrats in liberal districts could wreak havoc on incumbents of both parties.

We are already seeing Tea Party members running in primaries in Republican districts, in an attempt to oust more "moderate" Republicans.  Perhaps this is an omen of things to come.

While Tea Party members and liberal Democrats are currently the butt of late night jokes and are derided by the mainstream media, they may be the ones laughing come November 2012.