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Trump tweeted that the military will not accept or allow transgender people to serve in any capacity. His reasoning: transgender troops cost too much money and lower readiness.

A 2016 Rand Corporation study commissioned by the US military contradicts Trump. The study found that allowing transgender soldiers to serve in the US military would cost an additional $2.4 to $8.4 million annually and would not negatively impact readiness.

Contrasted with the $80 million the military pays annually for erectile dysfunction medication, money spent on transgender health care pales by comparison. Trumps argument is bogus.

As far as disruption in the military, the results of Rand study shows that Trump has no idea what hes talking about.

Trump said he consulted with my generals and military experts. Thats news to his generals who, along with the Sec of Defense, were totally blindsided by Trumps tweet.

The military was set to begin accepting transgender recruits beginning July 1, 2017. Sec of Defense Mattis delayed that by six months saying that the issue of providing health care and services for transgender recruits needed more study.

Whats really behind Trumps out-of-the blue tweet? Politico was told by numerous congressional and White House sources that Trumps sudden decision was, in part, a last-ditch attempt to save a House proposal full of his campaign promises that was on the verge of defeat.

House Republicans were planning to pass a spending bill stacked with Trumps campaign promises, including money to build his border wall with Mexico. Then Rep. Vicky Hartzler, R-Mo. introduced an amendment that would forbid money being spent by the military health care system for medical treatment related to gender transition.

She portrayed her proposal as a good government plan aimed at assuring military dollars are spent only on critical national defense needs. She did not explain how $80+ million per year spent on erectile dysfunction medications are critical national defense needs! House Democrats and 24 GOP members defeated her amendment.

She and other Anti-LGBT GOP members turned to Trump. They told Trump the budget bill would not pass unless it included language forbidding the military to perform transgender surgeries. Horrified that the budget bill might not pass, in the flash of a tweet, Trump announced that transgender troops would be banned altogether. Problem solved.

A majority of Americans believe that transgender Americans should be allowed to serve their country. Anyone willing to sacrifice his/her life for their country makes a sacrifice that Trump with his five draft deferments refused to do.

This is NOT how a Democracy is supposed to work! You know, the one that says, of the people, by the people, for the people.

Follow this link:
Democracy? - Marion Mohri - Caledonian Record