Shame on Legislature for failing mentally ill

Parkersburg coach Ed Thomas and Keokuk County Deputy Eric Stein could still be among us if the legal system for committing mentally ill individuals was made functional. In both cases, family members tried to have their relative committed into state care so their loved one would not hurt himself or others. The system failed.

After the shooting of the much-beloved Thomas, there was an effort to keep such a thing from happening again. However, the Iowa Legislature failed to make the needed legal changes for committing a mentally disturbed individual. I say, “Shame on you all!” Shame that you did not roll up your sleeves and do your duty. Are you going to continue your petty partisan games or do justice for the coach and Sgt. Stein?

Legislators should form a bipartisan study committee of some of their best and brightest to report back next year with draft legislation to correct this failure. “But it is very complicated,” they may say.

We voters know your job is not easy. Just do your best and when the next election cycle rolls around, you will not have to wonder if we think, “Shame on you!”

James Ellerhoff

Des Moines