Both the Democratic and Republican parties are banking on something they both believe is inevitable -- a future terrorist attack on the United States. Believing that one or more will happen, they are mainly concerned with being able to deflect any criticism from themselves and towards the other party when it does happen. Realism, effective methods, and balancing security against freedom ---- none of these things matter as much as being able to deflect criticism when the next attack comes. No one wants to take even the most minimal risk that some future demagogue can "pin the blame" on a major terrorist attack on their party. Both parties are racing to "get ahead of history" that hasn't happened yet. They are setting up a situation where any future terrorist action might have the 'practical' effect of a pin-prick, but our nation will be so wound up it will explode politically like a massive IED.

Sadly, neither party is likely to stand up and be reasonable.

Refusal to panick along with the herd might be taken as evidence of disloyalty. So they stamped, and we get carried along....