Switch to our mobile site

Top Stories

Open letter to readers: Today and tomorrow

By Lynda Waddington | 11.17.11

Wednesday was a difficult day for The American Independent News Network, which is the larger entity that operates The Iowa Independent. Our chief executive and founder announced two of our sister sites would close and their content would be moved to The American Independent.

ACS lockout continues; plan emerges to repeal sugar protections

crystal_sugar_80
By Virginia Chamlee | 11.15.11

A recently introduced bill could have far-reaching impact on the U.S. sugar industry, including American Crystal Sugar, a farmer-owned cooperative that locked out 1,300 Midwest workers on Aug. 1.

Cain campaign: Farmers know more about regulations than EPA

hermancain_80x80
By Andrew Duffelmeyer | 11.15.11

The chairman for Herman Cain’s Iowa effort says the campaign “relied more on the word of farmers than Washington regulators” in deciding to run an ad containing claims the Environmental Protection Agency says are false.

Mathis wins, Democrats maintain Senate control

Liz Mathis
By Lynda Waddington | 11.08.11

The Iowa Senate will remain under the control of a slim 26-25 Democratic majority when it reconvenes in January 2012.

Press Release

PR: Nation should work to address veterans’ challenges

By Press Release Reprints | 11.11.11

BRUCE BRALEY RELEASE — As US involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan ends, it’s more important than ever that our nation works to address the challenges faced by the men and women who fought there.

PR: Honoring veterans, help in hiring

By Press Release Reprints | 11.11.11

CHUCK GRASSLEY RELEASE — A difficult job market is challenging the soldiers, sailors and airmen who have protected America’s interests by serving in the Armed Forces.

PR: In honor of America’s veterans

By Press Release Reprints | 11.11.11

TOM LATHAM RELEASE — No one has done more to secure the freedom enjoyed by every single American than our veterans and those currently serving in the armed services.

PR: Honoring and supporting our nation’s veterans

By Press Release Reprints | 11.11.11

DAVE LOEBSACK RELEASE — Veterans Day is an opportunity to reflect on the service of generations of veterans and to honor the sacrifices they and their families have made so that we may live in peace and freedom here at home.

Is Bush Administration Using IRS To Target Transgender Americans?

By Douglas Burns | 07.17.07 | 3:59 pm

The executive director of the Gay & Lesbian Medical Association tells Iowa Independent today that he believes the Bush Administration is using the IRS to target the nation's transgender population.

Joel Ginsberg of the GLMA says he is disappointed with the IRS decision to disallow a deduction for a 57-year-old Bostonian who underwent a sex-change operation and sought to write off $25,000 in expenses on her taxes.
The IRS is fighting out the matter with the woman in U.S. Tax Court.
“It just saddens me that tax policy is being used in this administration to target a vulnerable segment of the population,” Ginsberg tells Iowa Independent.
He added, “I do wonder whether the larger goal is to discredit the idea of gender transition.”
It would make more sense for the IRS to use its limited resources on going after million-dollar-plus tax cheats, Ginsberg said.
Ginsberg said the GLMA strongly disagrees with the IRS rational that the procedure is “cosmetic.” He said the change is medically necessary for many people, an estimated 1,600 to 2,000 nationally each year. He said a roughly equal number of men and women seek such medical treatment.
When asked if the tax write-off for a sex change question set up perfectly for wedge issue in the 2008 campaign, Ginberg said, “I don’t think the majority of American people are so mean-spirited.” 

Comments

  • lesteria

    adabell It is not just the Bush administration, but medical insurance will not pay for sex changes and considers this to be an optional surgery. 
    How anyone could consider it manditory, I don’t know. 
    Perhaps we all could think of a surgery that would make us happier or be good for our emotional well-being, but it none the less does not make it a tax write off. 
    The same standards should apply to everyone.  A gay persons needs are not necesarily more important then anyone elses.

  • lesteria

    adabell It is not just the Bush administration, but medical insurance will not pay for sex changes and considers this to be an optional surgery. 

    How anyone could consider it manditory, I don't know. 

    Perhaps we all could think of a surgery that would make us happier or be good for our emotional well-being, but it none the less does not make it a tax write off. 

    The same standards should apply to everyone.  A gay persons needs are not necesarily more important then anyone elses.

Categories & Tags: | | | | |

Switch to our mobile site