DRCNH Home > News > editorial 10-13-2004

October 13, 2004, letter to the Editor, Concord Monitor, by Richard Cohen, Esq.

I was appalled to see the Benson political advertisement in which he utilizes the executive director of the Governor's Commission on Disabilities to praise his record on disability issues. I have concerns about this on many levels, including the use of a nonpartisan agency in partisan politics.

My more fundamental concern is the misrepresentation that the current governor has done more for people with disabilities than any other governor in history.

My own work as an advocate for people with disabilities began in the late 1970s, around the time Hugh Gallen became governor. Since then there have been four other governors from both parties, not counting Benson.

Although his predecessors' records have not been perfect on disabilities issues, New Hampshire gained national prominence in serving people with developmental disabilities and mental illness. We saw Laconia State School close and the state hospital substantially downsized, both replaced by a community-based system of supports.

Much remains to do before there is true equal opportunity for people with disabilities. Benson's actions and attempted actions have done nothing to continue the forward movement. Rather, he has callously and systematically attempted to dismantle the supports put in place which enabled people with disabilities to be part of the community rather than being isolated in inhumane and expensive institutions.

The few positive things Benson may have done are mere tokenism and window dressing when compared with his efforts to dismantle the supports for people with disabilities.