The U.S. Capitol building (Photo by Heath Haussamen)
There are constructive ways to combat the actions of Congress that aren’t violent. Don’t cut gas lines and threaten to assassinate children.
Many conservatives threw a fit a year ago when a Homeland Security report expressed concern about the possibility of violence from right-wing extremists in America.
But look at what’s happening in the wake of the enacting of historic health-care legislation. A coffin was placed on the lawn in front of the home of Rep. Russ Carnahan, D-Mo., yesterday. And it gets much worse than that. From Politico:
“This came after Rep. Tom Perriello’s (D-Va.) brother’s gas lines were cut, Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.) received death threats and Rules Committee Chairwoman Louise Slaughter (D-N.Y.) received a message saying snipers were being deployed to kill children of those who voted for health care overhaul.
Several other Democrats have had threats leveled against them, prompting a closed-door briefing of Democratic members by the FBI, Capitol Police and the House Sergeant at Arms.”
At least 10 House Democrats have reported “death threats or incidents of harassment or vandalism at their district offices over the past week,” the Washington Post is reporting. Bricks have been thrown through windows. Calls for the president’s assassination have gone out on Twitter.
Heath Haussamen
The violent acts and threats against the president and members of Congress who supported health-care reform legislation are not only unacceptable – they’re simply un-American.
We are a nation of fierce independence, and I know many who believe the health-care bill threatens that. But we’re also a nation of laws. The bill was approved through a Democratic process that started with the election of a Democratic majority in the House and Senate and of a Democratic president.
The pendulum swings. It’s been doing that since our nation was founded. It should be no surprise to anyone that Democrats would try to pass reform many conservatives don’t like, just like the previous administration succeeded in securing the approval of legislation that’s abhorrent to many, such as the Patriot Act.
‘Heaven forbid, someone will get hurt’
I don’t like that, because of the Patriot Act, my bank had to give extra scrutiny several years ago to my application for a home loan, including checking my name against a list of known or suspected terrorists. I personally think that’s an inappropriate intrusion by Big Brother into a private transaction between me and a bank.
But I’m not about to threaten to kill my member of Congress who voted for it, or even think about actually carrying out an act of violence. Instead, our system of government gives us several ways to challenge the actions of Congress. In fact, I just exercised one – my right to tell Congress I don’t like that provision in the Patriot Act.
There are constructive ways to combat the actions of Congress that aren’t violent. Don’t cut gas lines and threaten to assassinate children.
Rep. Phil Hare, D-Ill., was quoted by Politico as saying he knows several House Democrats who have told their spouses to live out of their home districts while the members are in D.C.
“If this doesn’t get under control in short time, heaven forbid, someone will get hurt,” Hare was quoted as saying. “My wife is home alone, and I’m worried for her. I am about to have my first grandchild. I don’t want to have to be worried.”
Republicans should condemn violence
As I have written, I share the sentiment of many who are concerned about the financial plague that threatens our nation: Our debt and deficit. I still suspect that we’re not yet on the road to recovery. I worry that our bailouts will be as successful as tossing money into a black hole.
And yet, there are arguments on both sides about whether the health-care bill will help or hurt the nation’s financial health. I personally don’t know. It’s complicated.
What I do know is that, like it or not, the bill was approved through the deliberative process that starts with elections, works its way through Congress and ends with the president’s signature. And I know there are lawful ways for those who don’t like that to act:
• Lobby for legislation that would repeal the bill.
• Work for candidates in the upcoming election who would repeal the bill.
• Challenge the bill in court.
America is too polarized. Hysteria runs rampant. Extremism is on the rise. Every Republican member of and candidate for Congress should combat the hysteria today by releasing a statement condemning these violent acts and threats.
Thankfully, the House minority leader has already done that. Republican congressional candidates in New Mexico should immediately follow his lead.
In the meantime, Democratic members who supported the bill should be very, very careful. This is a dangerous time.