does america really have second class citizens

The mentally retarded or severely mentally ill are second class citizens because they cannot, literally, think clearly enough to make adult decisions. It's lunacy to let them have a driver's license, much less vote. They have basic human rights, positive and negative, by virtue of their existence, but that's where it ends. They are human beings, not people. There's a difference.

The haves are 1st class citizens, while the have nots make up 2nd class. That problem is escalated by the fact that there is a disproportionate number of women and minorities that make up the have nots.

America is simple, if you don't have money, you're second class.

Many women suffer from post partum depression. This woman was even asking for help before her baby was born because she was hearing voices. There really IS a thing called 'mental illness'. I'm sorry for her child but I am also sorry for her.

no we are all equal and nobody needlessly dies, or goes to bed hungry.we all just pretend thats the case.
of course we have secomd class citizens, we are capitalists wich means the rich are first class, and so on down the ladder.
we even have class's that exceed our status lows in illegals

this is one of the most confused posts I have come across on current.

hearnnick, you link to a valid story, but you only post a disjointed rant.

This post would have to be considered a rather potent argument against user generated content.

Idk, was that title meant to piss people off?

Was it meant to down play the plight of oppressed people?

Walk into any convenient store for about an 8 hour shift, ask them what they are payed, and observe what they do.

Then walk into oh let's say, a physical therapists practice watch them work a full shift and find out what they are payed.

Maybe a physical therapist is a more valued member of society, but the work to pay ratio is very good for them (what work), they make 50-70k a year easy. While the "clerk" makes barely 20k, and get's run ragged.

Look at school teachers, how important they are supposed to be, most of them even good ones aren't bringing home 50k a year.

NO America was a veritable cornucopia of "second class" citizens....

What do 'second class citizens' have to do with this article?
That's a pretty crazy spin.

This woman was hearing voices after she gave birth, didn't get the treatment she needed, then mutilated and dismembered her newborn.
She obviously has a severe mental disorder, and probably would've have done it if she were in her right mind.

"as several mental handicap patients are fighting for equal rights. and we extend them those rights should they not face the same court punishments as some one with out the handicap?"

I really don't think you understand mental disorders.
Some people with severe mental disorders are not in control of their actions.
You can't prosecute someone who is not in control of themselves the same way you prosecute someone who is in control of themselves.
This is very basic justice theory.

Capital letters?

It's not a question of what the "administrative" officials at dss thought, it's a question of what was her actual ability to comprehend at the moment that what she was doing was wrong...

For instance, is it fair to be punished for violating secret laws...???
Without notice that something is wrong, no one should be held accountable for doing it... This is the basis for our prohibition against ex post facto laws (laws that punish people in the past for things that weren't crimes until later)...

A person who is insane where they cannot comprehend that the nature of their act is wrong are in the same boat...

My Mother experienced postpartum so this hits home for me.

I believe insane people should be put in a jail hospital instead of a real prison, especially when multiple professional doctors confirm this analysis.

I do not believe this woman holds the 4th tenant for a contract...which is capacity.

Obviously she is crazy and does need medical attention.

I'm not worried, she will most likely never see the real world again and is away from the general population after taking a life.

I do believe that insane people should not be under the same sentencing of sane people.

Regardless, she is locked away in a state hospital for umpteen years and will never be able to have kids again if she ever does get out when she's 80.....

Its a bit of a falsehood. They don't have total equality, they can't join the military, they will never be able to do most of the things everyone else can.

Would you have us going around executing mentally handicapped people too?