What can taxpayers do???

According to a news story seen on FoxNews, “Lawmakers, Advocates Weigh In On Inmate’s Bid for Sex-Change Surgery”, (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,286804,00.html) there has been a trial ongoing for over a year now.  Apparently, a 58 year old man, sentenced to life in prison for killing his wife in 1990, has decided that he wants a sex change operation. 

So far this trial has included hundreds of hours of testimony, 10 medical specialists have been paid more than $52,000 to testify, the judge has hired an expert to help him sort the case out.  The surgery would cost about $20,000.

The prisoner sued the Correction Dept twice before this trial because of their refusal to allow a sex-change operation which he feels violates the 8^th Amendment protection against cruel and unusual punishment.  Since 2002 this prisoner has received hormone treatments, laser hair removal and psychotherapy.  This prisoner is still plagued with anxiety and depression although he has received these treatments.

The question posed in this article:  Should a murderer serving life in prison get a sex-change operation at taxpayer expense?

My questions:  Why is this in the courts to begin with?  Why are our tax dollars being spent like this on one person, with 100s of transgender prisoners waiting in the wings for the ruling in this case, who also want sex-change operations while they are in prison? 

If I am suffering from anxiety and depression because I’m unhappy with my looks, let’s say I don’t like my nose or breasts, my insurance company is not going to pay for these surgeries – I must come up with the money for these operations on my own.  I am an American citizen living freely in my own home, but I have to spend my hard earned money on elective surgeries.  If prisoners can get operations for “free” why shouldn’t I be entitled to this same benefit?  My tax dollars already cover the cost of trials, room and board, entertainment, education, medical care, etc for prisoners.  I have not committed a crime but I must pay for the upkeep of prisoners.  So far I have not complained about how my money is spent on these criminals, but I’m speaking up now – why should they be given elective surgeries so they can feel better about themselves when I don’t have this same privilege?    I am not a criminal, I haven’t broken the law, I’m not in jail – why I don’t I deserve the same benefits as criminals? 

Mind you, I’m not against people getting elective surgeries.  Every one that wants, is brave enough and has the money available to have elective surgery will have their own personal reasons for this decision.  That’s fine with me.  Do what you want to make youself happy, but I shouldn’t have to pay for your elective surgery! 

What is your opinion?

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