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.

Make no mistake about it – the Democratic Party is growing. It’s demographics – hispanics, high-educated white voters – are growing and more and more young people are associating themselves as social liberals who care little for fiscal or economic conservatism.

That spells trouble for Republicans and according to Fortier it means:

The GOP needs more Bob McDonnells and Scott Browns, not wide-eyed, good government types or stodgy conservatives, but people with a mix of conservatism and at least a part of the populism that is mainstream in the middle class.

Fortier is addressing an original piece, which might be worthwhile to look at in part. Henry Olsen at National Review addresses what may lead to the downfall of the GOP.

My thoughts on the issue are fairly straightforward. The Republican Party needs to have a positive voice that advocates fiscal discipline, pro-growth economic policies and a strong national defense plan. The approach should be level-headed, involve moderation and seek pragmatic solutions to policy challenges.

We should concentrate first on balancing the federal budget by reforming the tax code and cutting unnecessary spending. Tax reform should create a more capital friendly environment that encourages small-business growth and corporate investment at home, not abroad. Entitlement spending should be near the top of the list when it comes to what needs reform. Our social programs cannot be responsible for bankrupting our nation. Underwriting the world’s security is expensive and unfortunately, we must make a choice between financing a modern welfare state or being the world’s most powerful – and most secure – country.

We should call for the continued reform and strengthening of our armed forces. Unfortunately for Congress, this may mean their districts will lose important government contracts.

Social issues like gay-marriage and abortion should be addressed at the state-level where the people can make their own decisions. We should recognize, however, the inevitable fact that the Court is more than likely to address these issues from an equal rights standpoint.

Our family first approach should advocate an egalitarian system and a business world that accepts women as part of the workforce and as mothers.

Health care and education also need serious reform. There are a number of other issues that deserve attention, but we must develop priorities.