Gov. LePage crossed the line with his threats to Rep. Drew Gattine, first in an incoherent, obscene voice mail, followed a few hours later by LePage’s egregious statement, “I would like to shoot him [Rep. Gattine] between the eyes.” Threats, which would result in an ordinary person being brought to a police station for questioning, and maybe incarceration. Threats, when made to a member of the Legislature, are threats to the entire institution.

The Maine House of Representatives made a big mistake in January 2016 when it failed to bring to the floor articles of impeachment. Instead they voted on whether the question of impeachment should be further investigated, despite the unequivocal findings by an independent investigative body that LePage caused Speaker Mark Eves to be fired by Good Will- Hinckley School. Only 52 Democrats and Independents voted for the resolution to investigate impeachment and none of the Republicans. Unofficially, the Democratic leadership intimated that any action by the House was worthless because the Senate would not take any action at all. This was perceived to be a political decision and not popular with thousands of Mainers.

The Democrats should have impeached LePage, even if the Senate took no action to remove him. Maybe impeachment would have resulted in LePage’s resignation, which everyone agrees is preferable to impeachment. Even without the Senate’s removal of LePage from office, impeachment would have made an important statement to the nation and the world that Maine is not going to tolerate a foulmouthed governor who has consistently abused his executive powers. Instead, by doing nothing, the Democrats (and Republicans) have encouraged LePage to increase his power grabs, his crude language and issue more horrific threats.

LePage’s threats started in his first term when he asked his opinion of the Portland Press Herald, his reply was, “I would like find the Portland Press Herald building and blow it up.” Threats continued throughout his term and escalated when he encouraged “Second Amendment people” to get involved in dealing with people of color who were drug sellers and who impregnated young, white girls, resulting in Maine having to pay out welfare money.

LePage’s threats addressed to Rep. Gattine crossed the line because, for the first time, LePage threatened legislative government; a threat to one legislator is a threat to each and every member of the Legislature. Threats to legislators are a tool that LePage uses to increase his Executive Branch power, resulting in the diminution of the Legislature’s power. The balance of power with its checks and balances — the essence of democracy — has already been adversely affected, contrary to the U.S. and Maine’s Constitution. The Legislature allowed this to happen.

From press reports of the Democrats’ meeting Tuesday night in Topsham, the legislative leaders intend to continue their attempt to “marginalize” LePage, instead of removing him from office. If the press reports are true, it would be an unfortunate political decision without regard for the will of many of Maine’s people — of both parties and independents — who believe that LePage should resign and begin his retirement.

Apparently, the Democrats made a political decision to ignore LePage’s very existence, which means that they will probably not address LePage’s threats or abuses of power. As for the future, I hope that LePage does not confront a legislator who “has voted the wrong way” and says “I’m going to get you.” Any unfortunate recipient of LePage’s wrath should reply to him: “Governor, does that mean that you are going to have someone shoot me between my eyes?” With the knowledge of LePage’s threats to Rep. Gattine and to others in the past, legislators are intimidated, even afraid, so much so that their votes in the Legislature on critical issues will be compromised.

The health and safety of legislators and the integrity of the Legislature is far more important than any perceived political considerations. When the new Legislature convenes, the Legislature must take action and make certain that Maine is blessed with a new governor.

Samuel M. Jones lives in Phippsburg.