Dogmarking Earmarks

Three months ago, had anyone asked about the Tea Party, the only response would have been laughter. Now, it may be fear. Even though several of their policies make some amount of sense, the amount of power that this party is gaining in the political world is becoming as nonsensical as some of their policies. Here, Republican leader McConnell, previous opposition to the Tea Party, has turned over a new leaf in a strange allegiance with the growing Tea Party.
The New York Times reports:

WASHINGTON — In leading his colleagues in a vote on Tuesday to ban the lawmaker-directed spending items known as earmarks, Mitch McConnell, the Senate Republican leader and consummate Congressional appropriator, averted a divisive clash within his caucus over the question of joining the new House Republican majority in enacting an earmark “moratorium” for the next Congress.

Given how zealously Mr. McConnell has defended the constitutional prerogative of Congress to control the federal purse, his turnabout was also the surest sign yet that the rightward pressure of Tea Party groups, and an antispending sentiment among voters, have begun to influence the way Washington does business.

While banning earmarks makes sense, even if the proposal is Tea Party related, the affect that these 'Beckonians' are having on the countries politics is quite terrifying. The fact that they are having any affect is reason in itself to have fear. They are getting opposition to side with them and it appears as though their control is gaining momentum.