Branstad’s actions are deplorable

To the editor:

A major thrust of Gov. Terry Branstad's program is to raise the awareness of, and take actions to counter, bullying. A noble venture. I suggest that he might want to start by taking a good look in the mirror. There is an old saw, 'It takes one to know one.”

His actions with respect to the closing of the mental health institutes without regard for the best interests of the patients and their families and the needs for those across our state who can best be served by such hospitalization is deplorable. His refusal to listen to those professionals in the field who are continually frustrated by the lack of adequate facilities to treat the mentally ill is to say, 'my mind is made up, don't confuse me with the facts.”

This is made more acute when we see the violence prompted by the merging of the availability of guns with mental health needs. We would do well to spend our time increasing our efforts in mental health rather than finding ways to cut mental health from our state budget.

Bob Bromley

Cedar Rapids