Gay GOP Group Praises Mary Bono

By Neal Broverman

After California congresswoman Mary Bono Mack voted against an estate tax bill that would amend IRS rules, the gay conservative group GOProud commended her actions.

Even without Mack's vote, the Permanent Estate Tax Relief for Families, Farmers, and Small Businesses Act of 2009, passed the House on Thursday. The bill would alter current rules so that the government couldn't take out more than 45% of the value of an estate and would tax only estates larger than $3.5 million. Mack, a Republican, is against the estate tax in its entirety, and believes the current bill would enshrine it for perpetuity.

Current estate taxes often burden gay couples more than married spouses, though it's not clear if that factored into Mack's vote. Bono was married to Sonny Bono and took his congressional seat after he died in a 1998 skiing accident. Bono is running for reelection in 2010 against Steve Pougnet, the gay mayor of Palm Springs.

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Name: GayElephant
Date posted: 12/8/2009 1:22:13 AM
Hometown: Phoenix, AZ

Comment:
It matters because if you were to die and live and estate for your partner that is *valued* at 3.5 million the government will take half of it. Lets say your partner leaves you three rental properties, his house, and cars, jewels, paintings, and other belongings and his business to you, all worth more or at 3.5 million, you will have to sell it all and give half of it the IRS. And if you have a farm or vineyard worth that much *you will have to sell it* as well after your partners death. In other words they will shut down the farm or vineyard so you wont be able to maintain a living from it and force to sell it and give half to the IRS. Do you think that is fair gay couples? But since it doesn't have the word gay in it all of you don't care. So don't come crying to me when the IRS knocks on your door...
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Name: Mark
Date posted: 12/7/2009 10:42:58 PM
Hometown: Palm Springs, CA

Comment:
What does this have to do with gay issues, specifically? Why did GOProud single out this particular vote of hers?
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Name: MikeJ
Date posted: 12/7/2009 9:16:51 PM
Hometown: Palm Springs, CA

Comment:
IF the question is whether Bono Mack's decision considered the effect this would have on gay and lesbian couples - the answer is an emphatic "NO". Look at her dismal records at HRC or other organizations. She needs to be replaced.
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Name: GayElephant
Date posted: 12/7/2009 5:28:51 PM
Hometown: Phoenix, AZ

Comment:
When you actually work your ass off in this country and acquired property (a house), build a small business, and some assets that you want to leave for your partner you face desdain from drones like Ben you hate your success (however small). They hate wealth and they seek to destroy your wealth and steal your money and property. These people are thieves leaches. They are jealous that some of us actually worked hard to have our own things, they see it and they loath what they don't have, and they think they are entitled to... you know what shut up! You don't have a right to a damn thing, You have a right to get up off your ass and work for it. Just like the rest of us. and keep your hands off my money. Maybe when you work for it with your own sweat and become successful you will then understand why this punishment is not only unfair but immoral.
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Name: Ben
Date posted: 12/7/2009 5:02:57 PM
Hometown: NY

Comment:
Yes we should all be more compassionate regarding the injustices faced by those with estates of $3mil+
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Name: GayElephant
Date posted: 12/7/2009 3:24:34 PM
Hometown: Phoenix, AZ

Comment:
This is a travesty that this death tax has passed. Where all the liberal gays that should have lobbied to stopped this. Don't they know this is another gay tax when we leave our estates to our partners? And no its not cash, its houses, land, farms, businesses, real estate. Gay liberals are nothing but hypocrites. There for "equality" yet this legislation is by all means unequal. Thanks for all your hard work GOProud. but I'm hoping that come 2010 we will get all this politicians out of office who want to destroy gay and straight families.
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Name: Javier
Date posted: 12/7/2009 2:28:38 PM
Hometown: Houston

Comment:
Vote for Steve Pougnet.

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