Hate speech

Matt Taibbi points out in this article that the new Speaker of the House was intemperate in his speech during the campaign.   Perhaps not as intemperate as Gabby Giffords' opponent, who offered a target with her picture on it and a weapon to shoot at the target at a campaign event, but when you suggest that violence is part of our political process, you will be held accountable by at least some Americans.

Another Ohio Democrat, Steve Driehaus, clashed repeatedly with Boehner before losing his seat in the midterm elections. After Boehner suggested that by voting for Obamacare, Driehaus "may be a dead man" and "can't go home to the west side of Cincinnati" because "the Catholics will run him out of town," Driehaus began receiving death threats, and a right-wing website published directions to his house. Driehaus says he approached Boehner on the floor and confronted him.

"I didn't think it was funny at all," Driehaus says. "I've got three little kids and a wife. I said to him, 'John, this is bullshit, and way out of bounds. For you to say something like that is wildly irresponsible.'"

Driehaus is quick to point out that he doesn't think Boehner meant to urge anyone to violence. "But it's not about what he intended — it's about how the least rational person in my district takes it. We run into some crazy people in this line of work."  (emphasis mine)

Driehaus says Boehner was "taken aback" when confronted on the floor, but never actually said he was sorry: "He said something along the lines of, 'You know that's not what I meant.' But he didn't apologize."

"...that's not what I meant."  But other people might very well think that is what you meant.  When you represent the people of your district, they should be able to believe that you speak with care and thoughtfulness.  You are not the boss because you were elected, you are the employee of your constituents.  Enough.