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# Santa Monica Don’t blame Reagan for city’s mentally ill
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/homeless-center-could-sink-politicians-in-next-council-race/
- Published: 2003-08-08T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T02:41:37.000Z
- Author: Bill Bauer
- Tags: Opinion, Santa Monica, #archive-import

*By Scott Bellomo Beaverton, Ore.*

Although the point made by Ms. Brennan (Mentally ill shouldn’t be on the streets, SMDP, Aug. 6, page 4) is well taken. And, I can sympathize with her regarding her encounter with the mentally ill woman. Was it really fair to place all the blame on President and Mrs. Reagan?

Keep in mind that Reagan hasn’t been in office for almost two decades. What, if anything, was done to address this problem by Bush 41 (four-year term), Clinton (eight-year term), or Bush 43 (mid-term)?

You can believe what you want about the Reagans (and apparently Ms. Brennan doesn’t find much to like), but you also have to consider that current law and groups like the ACLU, who make a living by challenging any perceived threat to civil liberties no matter what the cost, make it impossible to keep people in facilities or to force them to take medicine and to get help against their will.

It’s a catch 22\. You want to make the decision for the mentally ill to get help whether through forced hospitalization or other means. It seems like the right thing to do. But you can’t because of Constitutional interpretations and groups that exist to challenge every perceived infringement on civil liberties.

Based on her opinion piece, I would bet that Ms. Brennan would be willing to “force” the unwilling mentally ill into facilities because she thinks she knows what’s in their best interest. I would also bet that Ms. Brennan is a card-carrying member of the ACLU (or at minimum supports their cause). You really can’t have it both ways.

It’s simple minded and easy to blame a past president (that you don’t much like) for the problems of today and it’s a little disingenuous. Don’t you think?

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on August 8, 2003.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/080803.pdf?ref=smdp.com)