Dear Editor:

Trump’s edict of July 24, 2025 revives a 19th century idea of subjecting the homeless to involuntary commitment to mental institutions. The edict dehumanizes homeless people as dangerous drug addled vagrants and therefore in need of institutionalization.

This approach to solving the problems of homelessness and poverty is demonstrably ineffective and expensive. The history of the asylum system is one of abuse and neglect. There are better, more dignified, and compassionate ways to deal with the question of why we have homelessness at all. But Trump’s solution is one of senseless cruelty.

More present and troubling is that Medicaid is being gutted under the Republican “Big Beautiful Bill.” The worst effects will not be seen for another three years because these gutless wonders who voted for this bill do not wish to face immediate consequences of their actions. When these deep cuts to Medicaid kick in, there will be more homelessness. Further if we take into account that Medicaid supports more than 60% of nursing home residents, these elderly and vulnerable people will likely become homelessness.

Instead of building asylums or treating those dispossessed of all material comfort and dignity, as if they were criminals, the homeless need homes not expensive and dehumanizing institutionalization. This can be accomplished by building affordable housing and housing vouchers, for example. This is not only a humane approach, but ultimately an economical approach.

It is estimated that 23% of us are affected by mental illness. Economic or social stress can exacerbate the onset of mental illness. Counseling and therapy is what the afflicted need, not to be thrown into an asylum and forgotten. Part of the answer is access to mental health clinicians and to train police to recognize and help people with mental health issues. Treating people who are afflicted with mental illness with dignity and respect goes a long way toward easing the impact on families and communities.

The cruelty of involuntary commitments is intolerable for a free people. If this is what we have become, may God forgive us all.

Fred W. Nehring

Boothbay