To the editor:

Douglas County Commissioner Gene Dorsey deserves recognition for his recent advocacy for Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center. His pronouncements were a necessary departure from the groupthink procedures that typically constrain single-party decision-making. Mr. Dorsey’s best statement was, “It’s not our money, it’s taxpayer money.”

Mr. Dorsey spoke not only for Bert Nash’s institutional survival but also for the many uninsured and indigent Douglas County citizens. This population is expected to increase due to the non-expansion of Medicare services in Kansas and the upcoming reduction in federal coverage resulting from tax cuts for wealthy citizens.

The current Republican party is nothing like the party of Lincoln, Eisenhower, Reagan, Bob Dole or John McCain. Valued principles like due process, the rule of law, respect for justice, court orders, national security and fiscal responsibility have been turned on their heads. Most recently, the Legislature pursued virtually every fetish issue save property tax reform.

On the other hand, performative acts like holding up a hand-painted sign on Massachusetts Street may feel rewarding, but they do little to address political processes or economic inequality.

Mr. Dorsey spoke as a compassionate public official, without regard to political polarization. He argued that all county citizens, regardless of political affiliation, have contributed 33 million dollars for public services. Whether one agrees with his position or not, it’s good to see an elected official unafraid to confront his political peers and speak for taxpayers as a whole.

Mike Warner,

Lawrence