Leading U.S. Disability Organization Condemns Bernie Sanders For Joking About Mental Illness

[Cali_Democrat]

March 7, 2016

Boston, MA – The Ruderman Family Foundation, a national leader in disability inclusion,
has condemned Democratic presidential candidate Senator Bernie Sanders for his illmannered
attempted joke directed at the Republican party, which in fact insulted millions
of people with disabilities.

During last night’s Democratic debate in Flint, Michigan, Sanders stated, “You know, we
are, if elected president, going to invest a lot of money into mental health,” going on to
say, “And when you watch these Republican debates, you know why we need to invest in
that.”

"When millions of Americans deal with issues of mental health it was highly inappropriate
for Senator Bernie Sanders to use a real disability as a joke in last night's Democratic
presidential debate,” said Jay Ruderman, President of the Ruderman Family Foundation.
“He should issue an immediate apology to Americans with mental health disabilities."

http://www.rudermanfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/BERNIE-STATEMENT.pdf

[redstateblues]

1. Another stumble by Bernie

[GreatGazoo]

8. He joked about "mental health care" -- not mental illness.

The guy has been doing this for a lifetime and he is sincere.

[Jackie Wilson Said]

2. If meant as a joke.

Putting that part of it aside for the moment, there is truly a mental health issue with people who want to kill the families of others or who want to legislate their religion into life.

That two of the 3 candidates can clearly be seen expressing signs of mental illness should concern us all.

As to Rubio, I wonder if there are signs of him doing so as well?

[4139]

3. The Rudermen Foundation needs to take a pill and relax.

[Wilms]

4. The Foundation president is formerly with AIPAC

He later worked for the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), first as Deputy Director of the New England office and then as Leadership Director of the Jerusalem office. He served in the Israel Defense Forces as Liaison with the Jewish Diaspora. He has been President of the Ruderman Family Foundation since 2008.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jay_Ruderman

Not that it has anything to do with this.

[HereSince1628]

9. back in Feb WP ran an article criticizing Trump for stigmatizing language

One might look at the WP running that as being somewhat even handed.

It's an all too common practice to refer to opponents as being diseased.

The article on Trump ends with a truth: “Stigma"tizing words, stereotypes and portrayals end up helping to shape society’s attitudes,” Carolla said. “You can’t say it’s harmless, because it isn’t.”

[Wilms]

11. I do not disagree.

But I'm happy to point out the source of the complaint. And I smell hit-piece. I'm not sure that the foundation called-out Trump.

Clintons play rough. “You can’t say it’s harmless, because it isn’t.”

[HereSince1628]

15. Over the past many months Bernie has only mentioned mental health along with

gun control.

Frankly, that's also unfortunate and also stigmatizing. There are other themes that also need addressing. Some of them are Bernie's favorites.

For example, Sanders likes to mention 'real' unemployment.

But he never mentions that in the US unemployment for the mentally disordered is very high.

In 2014 NAMI published a report showing 80% unemployment and not in labor force, the very same groups Sanders uses to suggest unemployment is higher than what the Labor Dept publishes.

[Wilms]

17. Has Hillary addressed them in any way?

Do you think a robust middle-class economy would drive employment for the disabled? I do.

If he didn't mention the poor state of mental health care making us more vulnerable to gun violence, would he be charged for not addressing that most obvious issue?

Numerous times I have seen him on the Senate floor citing Black youth unemployment. If he referred to that now, would he be accused of resting on laurels?

The foundation is run by an AIPACian. It's dual mission is promoting things related to Israel and mental health issues. I not aware of any group with such a unique and diverse portfolio, but I could be wrong assuming there are many.

Still, it reeks.

[HereSince1628]

18. I think a better economy will, but marginally, help people who are discriminated against.

The problem for most people with mental disorders is they are stigmatized as being much less competent and much more dangerous than they actually are. Nothing about an expanding economy would change that social attitude. Public attitude drives acts of discrimination that lead to impoverishment.

The state with the best employment for persons with mental disorder is Wyoming. The next best is Iowa. They still have unemployment/out of labor force numbers above 50% for persons with mental disorders. The reason for better numbers in a 'red' state appears to be employment opportunities for the mentally disordered on relatives family farms/ranches.

Hillary and Sanders are actually very similar on this particular issue with respect to when it enters their discourse and what they propose. Mostly their solutions are intended to identify and contain persons who are potentially violent when they are young and in regular contact with institutions.

Calls for getting people to treatment are mostly generated by law enforcement (which doesn't want them in prisons) and providers (who have a vested interest in having them as revenue generators) in the wake of tragedies.

That frightened reaction is where initiatives like NY's SAFE Act originate. Political environments suffering shock don't worry about things such as the role of unemployment in the lives of person with mental disorders.

[Wilms]

19. Freud was asked about the pillars of mental health.

Or something along that line. His response was, "to love, and to work".

I can't help but feel a better economy would help. But in fact, even it it did...how much?

I really appreciate your thought filled post. Thank you.

[litlbilly]

5. havent you got anything better to do than post this kind of nonsense?

[Broward]

6. No apology is necessary, nt.

[Kalidurga]

7. It's like no one here ever talked about the clear insanity

that is exhibited by Right Wingers. No one ever.

[PyaarRevolution]

10. I remember hearing something negative about a Mental Health Foundation.

Last edited Tue Mar 8, 2016, 08:59 PM - Edit history (1)

It wasn't Ruderman but another Mental Health charity or organization and their goal is to push Pharmaceuticals as a primary mental health treatment. Knowing how some prescription depression drugs are dangerous because it can increase suicidal inclinations or homicidal ones(Pfizer, who makes Prozac, had studies overseas which didn't bode well in this respect from the German govt or their FDA and they didn't report on these results before they submitted it to the FDA).
I guess I'm wondering if Ruderman is like this specific organization.

edit: Sorry, should've added it was from a documentary on FSTV or some other service.

[Roland99]

12. And the GOP candidates don't suffer mental illness??

puh-leeze

[amborin]

13. LOL! Ruderman family has TIES to CLINTON!

http://www.jta.org/2016/02/01/news-opinion/united-states/israels-tourism-minister-chelsea-clintons-wedding-testament-to-reform-assimilation

[beedle]

14. That was not a joke ...

... the fact that Republicans have mental heath issues is as serious as a heart attack (and that's not a joke either.)

[bigwillq]

16. Someone is always offended by something

I got a good chuckle out of that Sanders line. Thought he spoke the truth.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

20. As someone who suffers from mental illness --

and a traumatic brain injury, I am not insulted at all by his remark, and agree with his sentiment that many in the GOP are in need of good mental health care -- 'cause they are batshit CRAZY.