Just how poisonous is the political atmosphere in this country, just how toxic has it become? It has become so hideous that I am not entirely surprised to read a story that just came across my desk.

A Democrat from Nebraska has been booted from his party post for saying he is “glad” that Republican U.S. House of Representatives whip Steve Scalise was shot and wishes he were “dead.”

Hit the road, Phil Montag, who was recorded saying this about Scalise: “His whole job is to get people, convince Republicans to [expletive] kick people off [expletive] health care. I’m glad he got shot,” Montag said in the audio recording. “I wish he was [expletive] dead.”

Good grief, dude!

Montag said his comments were “taken out of context.” Really, fella?

Scalise, of course, was wounded the other day when a gunman opened fire on Republican congressmen who were practicing in Alexandria, Va., for a charity baseball game against congressional Democrats. He damn near died from his wounds, but happily is now expected to make a full recovery.

Montag reportedly told the Omaha World-Herald: “I did not call for the congressman’s death.” Umm, yeah, you did, buster. The recording has you saying it in plain English.

This is a disgraceful example of the very kind of thing that has infected the political atmosphere. This guy makes me sick.

Read the story here.