If you have listened to a small number of elected officials in recent years and thought to yourself “they’re saying the quiet part out loud,” because they no longer behave as though they need to hide their hateful ideology, it will come as little surprise to know that political theater is bleeding into real-life criminal behavior.

Sandra Bachman, 58, of Batavia, Ohio, is being charged with two counts of malicious use of telecommunications services, one count of ethnic intimidation, and one count of a threat of terrorism. She is accused of having left phone messages for two black, female lawmakers in Michigan. According to excerpts released by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office, the messages were graphic, and included racial slurs.

Nessel’s office said a portion of one of the messages included this frightening tirade: “You won’t see the bullet coming. Let me tell you that. … We’ll be coming to Michigan soon to remove you from your post. … You’re going to die.”

Bachman’s alleged terrorism indicates she felt comfortable using racial slurs while threatening lives, in recorded voicemails. One cannot help but wonder whether she felt as though she would be protected — perhaps even defended — rather than prosecuted.

We have seen plenty of other hate crimes to which we cannot turn a blind eye.

“Those who think hiding behind a phone or a keyboard will prevent them from facing criminal charges are severely mistaken,” Nessel said.

Another example of more local connection is that of Matthew Smith, 24, from Genessee County. Smith was one of three people on a phone call in March 2020. He threatened Houghton County Clerk Jennifer Kelly, who was running for reelection, by suggesting he would kill her dogs, according to her statement to law enforcement.

During his hearing, Judge William H. Crawford felt that Smith should have also faced charges for filing a false police report, which Crawford said hurt Smith’s credibilty as he attempted to claim that he made no such threat during his call.

Smith pled guilty on Nov. 22, 2021, to a charge of malicious use of a telephone. He received a sentence of 240 hours of community service and a $650 fine.

Yes, those who commit such crimes must face the full force of the law. Voters also have work to do.

Elected officials who have been led to believe they are ensuring their re-election by pandering to those whose socio-cultural understanding has not evolved for centuries must be shown the error of their assumptions. We are better than this, ladies and gentlemen. It’s time we showed it at the ballot box.