I agree, Skip. It seems that some consider mental health patients as a "drain" on our society.

When a person without means has a drug or alcohol addiction or mental health problems, we are poorly equipped to help them recover. I know of cases where it was months before help was available. If we spent more in prevention and cure, our prisions would not be overflowing.

I see people more willing to spend money stopping illegal immigrants from coming to the USA (a problem, I agree)and fighting the unwinnable war in Iraq than providing care for those who need help in our country.

We agree again. I do believe there is a serious problem in our state's public mental health institutions. I do believe they should be completely reorganized, possibly even dismantled. But I also agree that we must have an alternative in place before we do that.

I have a cousin who stayed at Butner due to serious depression. While there he was raped repeatedly by mental health staff. His allegations were 'investigated' but nothing was ever done. After all, he was crazy.

People suffering from mental illness are vulnerable and worthy of our help.

Thank you, Ronald Reagan! By withdrawing federal support, slowly, but surely, the Reagan administration dumped so much back on the states. Of course, the conservative republicans have told us that homeless people are just lazy and don't want to work. They supported the effort that shifted the responsibilities all to the states over time. Now the chickens are coming home to roost. The states are picking up more and more of the federal government's role and are having to find ways to pay for it.

I think conservative Republicans, who want prayer in schools, 10 commandments in courthouses, and a ban on flag burning should be requied to house a homeless person! That would solve the problem, and would remove the word HYPOCRITE from the GOP platform.

Of course, the rock solid 28% who support EVERYTHING the Bush administration does, and has done, might just disagree. (Ya think?!!)