Death threats?

Okay, things are getting even worse.  I have learned never to make the comment “Things can’t get any worse”, because once it is said, I usually find out that yes, indeed, things can get much worse. And, it has.

How can people threaten members of congress with death based on their vote for the health care bill?  It is beyond comprehension.  It appears that we are sliding into a level of political discourse not unlike Iran, North Korea, or China.  I would not find it surprising to learn that a government official had received death threats for their vote in those countries.  This is the United States!  I am surprised, shocked, disappointed and humiliated that it is happening here. 

And why aren’t people being arrested for these actions?  The law enforcement professionals can locate a teenaged computer geek who posts thoughts of violence against classmates, but we are not arresting people who call, email, or write death threats to members of congress? I heard a Republican lawmaker complain that those who were making the threats public were wrong.  The theory apparently being that if you make it public, it encourages more threats, so just tough it out and it’s your own fault if you don’t.  How about a few federal arrest warrants as a way to stop the threats?  It’s maybe not such a great idea to sit in federal prison for several years because you didn’t agree with a health care bill.  How many death threats were made against those who voted for social security legislation?     

Is this what we have come to?  A society where disagreement inevitably leads to violence?  A former vice presidential candidate publicizing a “hit list” of congressional seats to target-with thinly veiled hints encouraging violence?

How and when will this stop?

How did we get to this point?

I want answers.  I want them soon.  I want this to stop.

I want America back.

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