[Tribune7]

The brainy bureaucrats in Harrisburg, back in the '80s, used exposes of cruelty in mental institutions as an excuse to shut down Pennhurst and Byberry. Among the atrocities found were patients being tied to wheelchairs with towels to keep them from falling out.

Haverford State Hospital, more recently, also became a victim of bureaucratic stupidity.

The fact that the institutions were expensive to run might also have something to do with it.

The plan was to install these poor folks into community living arrangements. Ha!

Numerous patients -- perhaps most -- became street people. They ended up sleeping in subways and cardboard boxes. Some froze to death. A lot of them commit everyday crimes such as breaking into and looting automobiles. Others commit felonies such as rape and murder. Many of those who still have loved ones trying to take care of them are dangerous.

We were recently reminded of this when Michael Rafferty, 29, killed his parents and a neighbor in Drexel Hill. This was the third time this year that murders were committed by mental patients in Delaware County. We should be aware that we are failing our citizens who suffer with mental illnesses. The out-of-date and disjointed methods of care designed to serve the mentally ill have repeatedly failed them.

Countless sufferers must be taken care of for their entire life.

But don't bother to see your state senator or representative about getting help. Right now, he's busy on break, getting ready to spend his big raise. Then he has to get back to work on important matters like making seatbelts for dogs mandatory.

Our lawmakers are looking at a minimum $50,000 a year pension after spending 20 happy years in Harrisburg where there is no heavy lifting. They can spend $128 a day on lunch or dinner. Our treat. How does that $50,000 pension compare with that of a retired military person? How does that pension compare to yours? I thought so! ***

[GOPJ]

Deinstitutionalization was done when liberals saw One flew over the CooCoo's Nest" and felt helping the insane be free was the answer. More cultural silliness from the 1960s generation that led to starvation and death for many of societies most vulnerable.

We were recently reminded of this when Michael Rafferty, 29, killed his parents and a neighbor in Drexel Hill. This was the third time this year that murders were committed by mental patients in Delaware County. We should be aware that we are failing our citizens who suffer with mental illnesses. The out-of-date and disjointed methods of care designed to serve the mentally ill have repeatedly failed them.

Countless sufferers must be taken care of for their entire life.