In the sewer that is Washington, D.C.

By Richard K. Barry

Stay classy, Tom.

At the risk of sounding prudish, it amazes me that things in Washington have become so bad that respected publications and websites have been forced to use two full dashes to make printable nasty things our politicians are calling each other. In this case it was Republican Sen. Tom Coburn who called Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid an "absolute a--hole." Apparently there are gradations in being an a--hole and Harry Reid is very good at it. 

In truth, though I identify with Reid's party, I get the sense he is very good at it. 

As for Reid's side, there is this. 

“Nothing says ‘comity’ like childish playground name-calling, especially from a senator who has not sponsored a single piece of successful bipartisan legislation during his entire Senate career,” said Adam Jentleson, a spokesperson for Reid.

Yeah, that'll lower the temperature. 

I have no doubt that Republicans bear all the blame for an obstructionist agenda intended to make it impossible for President Obama to accomplish anything. Put another way, Republican know Washington doesn't work because they broke it.

Still, when it comes to the necessary work and relationships required to govern our Republic, we are good and truly f----ed.