On the cusp of the 21st century, it is nothing short of bizarre that any Florida legislators would need to be enlightened on the differences between mental illness and mental retardation.
Mental retardation is a permanent condition.
It is a condition of low intelligence. There is no cure for it. Mental illness, on the other hand, is a disease of the mind. It is a psychological sickness that can be treated with therapy and medication. Although much mental illness is chronic and incurable, many mentally ill persons get better.