"But even though python is now open, the icon on the dock is different and none of my previous python files will open.  When i try to open them, the IDLE icon im used to seeing bounces a few times and then disappears while the other python IDLE icon that started up after entering the second command line you gave me is up the whole time."

From that I take it that you are trying to open the python files by double clicking on them?  If so, try launching idle from the command line again and, from its menu bar (which will be labeled as "Python" instead of "IDLE", try opening your python files with the File -> Open menu and see if that brings up an IDLE edit window that you can use.

Also, after quitting the command line IDLE, try the following in the terminal:

grep TK_PATCH_LEVEL /Library/Frameworks/Tk.framework/tkConfig.sh
# report what this says
cd ~
mv .idlerc .idlerc-DISABLED

That will restore all of IDLE's defaults.  Then, try double-clicking on IDLE again.  If it still fails to launch, check the system.log for relevant error messages.  You can use the Console app (in /Applications/Utilities/) for that.