Does shrinking (or even vanishing) polar ice cap = wetter, more sever rain/snow storms?

[havocmom]

Did I remember that theory from way back in school correctly? We know what the 'lake effect' does in regards to providing lots of fuel to any winds going over them for wet storms; I can even see it with the lake near me and the weather pattern beyond it. So, what does a mostly, or completely, open polar ocean mean for the northern continents? More of the same as our beleaguered mid-west has seen or is recent flooding a cake-walk compared with what's in store for us all?

DU Weather Gurus, what say you? Is Rubber Raft Inc. THE stock to buy? Grain soon a thing of the past in America?

Gonna piss off a lot of Republican Status Quo-ers who have been pooh-poohing Global Warming discussions for the past several decades. Sadly, their disappointment at being so wrong will not do much to help the people who have to deal with more sever storms, and those who will be going hungry.