Condemn the Violence

I’m about as opposed to President Barack Obama’s health care plan as one can be, but never would I go this far.

There are more questions than answers after a gas line was cut outside the home of Congressman Tom Perriello’s brother.

According to the FBI, it is being investigated as a possible threat to the Congressman after he voted in favor of healthcare reform.

Two members of a local tea party group posted the home’s address online, mistakenly believing it belonged to Congressman Perriello.

Authorities say the gas line to the home’s propane tank was slashed Tuesday night, although investigators don’t think there was an immediate threat to his brother’s family.

This is why the tea party movement is bad for America. Very Bad.

There is no leadership; they answer to no one. There is no real platform; the government is just bad. While the group’s intentions are noble, because of the lack of leadership and clear platform, they are more prone to violence than organized groups.

Republican leaders should condemn the violence immediately. I do. America is great because in March of 1801, we became the first country in the world to conduct a peaceful transfer of power from a controlling party to an opposition party. A peaceful political process is one of the hallmarks of our system.

The Tea Party movement is fun to watch. It’s good to see so many people involved and interested. But the group needs leadership – and that leadership is inside the Republican party. It needs a platform – and not just government is bad. What it definitely does not need is more violence.