Congresswoman Kristi Noem sets record straight on false attacks on her family

Pat Powers

Congresswoman Noem sent out an e-mail blast to supporters this AM responding to recent attacks by members of the liberal media with regards to the death taxes her father’s estate was forced to pay after his untimely passing.

 

Pat,

The media has launched an intentionally malicious and false attack against my family in recent weeks. Documents disproving their claims have been in the public record for more than 20 years, but even after knowing where those documents were, the media failed to review them before writing their attack pieces. But you know I’ve never been one to back down from a fight…

Tax-loving liberals might not want to read it, but here’s the straight up reality: I’ve spent the last 23 years without my dad. He didn’t get to meet my kids or see how we were able to grow the family farm. But he did get us started. My home sits on land he owned – land he warned me never to sell because “God isn’t making any more of it.” He built that farm so one day his kids could come home and farm together. And the government jeopardized that dream when they hit us with the Death Tax.

Some in the media have started a debate over whether our family did estate planning effectively. To them, I ask: What does it matter? If a tax is only levied because someone didn’t pay lawyers enough before they died, then there’s a problem with that tax.

They have also pointed out that Death Tax exemption levels have changed since my dad’s death. But if you think that simply moving the exemption levels makes this tax “fair,” you’re misdirected. My principles don’t change because the dollar amount does.

While our family history has been laid out in the public record for two decades, I spelled it all out once again in a recent article in the Argus Leader. Take a look.

So, the media can write what they will. And while they’re doing that, I’m going to keep pushing forward. I’m going to spend the rest of my life, if I have to, fighting to repeal the Death Tax. Are you with me?

-Kristi

 

 

PO Box 527 – Sioux Falls, SD 57101
Paid for by Kristi for Governor

37 thoughts on “Congresswoman Kristi Noem sets record straight on false attacks on her family”

  1. She does not address the issues raised by these articles investigating her claims….
    1.) She has for years over exaggerated the burden placed on the family by the estate tax.
    2.) Her father in her will states he understands what the issues are when splitting up an estate the way he did.

    Also “didn’t pay lawyers enough?” boo hoo… I sympathize for the loss of her father, that is tragic… But we all have to deal with burdens we would prefer not to pay before we pass on. Its a sad reality of living in the United States.

  2. Let’s see. Do I believe Kristi, or the Argus Liar? Normally I wouldn’t even click on the link to the Liar, but I did. Their editorial is speculation that maybe it didn’t happen the way Kristi said, because if it had there would have been ways around it? If a mourning family didn’t see the tricks that the editorial writer, having perfect 20-20 hindsight, can see then it’s her own fault? And she’s a liar?

    I hate to see american businesses going under, but I don’t think I’ll shed a tear at the passing of the Argus. My kids enjoy when they try to hand out free Argus Liars in the HyVee and I reply “Why, our puppies are already trained”.

  4. Didn’t we hear from DJT that because he pays lawyers money to exploit loopholes in order to avoid paying federal taxes, it makes him “smart”?

    That kind of flies in the face of Noem’s “If a tax is only levied because someone didn’t pay lawyers enough before they died, then there’s a problem with that tax.”

    Noem also doesn’t appear to have any issue collecting farm subsidies paid for by, wait for it…TAXES!

    1. In order to pay money to lawyers to exploit loopholes, one must both we aware of the option and have the means to, you know, actually pay the lawyers.

      Why should laws, written mostly by former lawyers, require average citizens to consult lawyers in order to gain an advantage on an uneven playing field? Why not just make the law mean what it says, regardless of how much cash one throws a lawyers? Equal treatment under the law?

      1. I don’t disagree. I’m just pointing out that lots of tax laws fall under Kristi’s “If you need a lawyer in order to avoid paying it” philosophy. But trying to change anything will ruffle all kinds of feathers because the ones with money are the same ones “donating” to the politicians.

  5. I hate it when I can’t make up my mind.

    Was the stupidest thing I’ve seen in Governor’s race Marty Jackley’s “Kristi won’t sign my ‘Say nice things’ pledge so I’m going to say mean things about her” or Kristi Noem’s “If you don’t think it hurt getting a tax bill because my dad died, you are wrong. It still hurts.”

    Lucky for them their opponent is “I’m for whatever your position is on abortion, taxes, dope, guns, speeding, breed of cattle, and all-star wrestling because I want to follow errrr I mean lead as your Governor.”

    1. You are really stretching on Noem. She experienced what she felt was a government overreach first-hand, she uses that experience to expose a potential flaw in the law. I think that gives her more experience on the subject than most congressmen.

      1. You are right she experienced something and got way too sensitive when this personal experience was discussed.

        They all need to start talking beyond their personal experiences and themselves. In case they don’t realize it, being Governor isn’t about them.

        1. “In case they don’t realize it, being Governor isn’t about them.”

          Thank you for stating that. I feel Ms. Noem believes the world moves around her. It does not. And never will.

          1. I’m not the biggest fan of Ms. Noem, she’s more liberal than I prefer.

            But…I wonder who you and Troy think the world should move around? Should it be you? Seems to me Noem’s personal experiences is what drove her to become successful and to help others that may experience the same overreach by the govt.

            Did you listen to the tele-townhall yesterday? The death tax doesn’t just screw SD farmers and when the govt takes money from this tax, they do whatever they want with it.

            Why can’t families pass it down to their children or other family members? Oh, that’s right you two think the govt deserves it more than your kids and can decide how to spend it because they can take care of you better than you can take care of yourself.

            #Winning!

            1. re: more liberal than one would prefer …. hmmm. there’s a problematic zone in congressional politics, where the branch of government that should be vibrant and varied and as richly divergent as the people they represent, actually is bogged down in a war of attrition between traditional independent pols and the ad hoc army of mindless party tools corralled and neutered in order to press the national party agenda unfettered, except at election promise making time. this, sadly, happens on both sides of the political aisle, maybe less so on the republican side, but classic republican independence and variety is being eradicated by democrats and republicans both. i enjoy noem’s recognition of the need to explore the middle ground where government does something in response to social issues, rather than join the lockstep march to build a republican wall that can withstand the democrat wall. if only congress were full of that mindset again, and able to shake off the classic beltway harness and bridle.

              1. “army of mindless party tools corralled and neutered in order to press the national party agenda unfettered,”… your writing style and word choice is impressive, and content is worth engaging with. Come around more often;)

                I want compromise too, but there’s no common ground when dealing with certain issues: abortion, national security, entitlement programs, “climate change”.

                If she says she’s a Conservative, her voting record should reflect that. Don’t back down.

              1. So sad:( You think your comment isn’t worthy of a response.

                “Tolerance, no exceptions” and “Love trumps Hate”…maybe a refresher is needed for you.

    2. Luckily I don’t have to make up my mind on the governors race today. Just have to decide if I believe Kristi or the Argus Liar. Simple choice.

      1. Over the decades, congress let DC bureaucrats and lobbyists craft a tax code that’s too complex for the average man to understand, let alone navigate. Do folks really believe Kristi’s Dad knew the intricacies of the ever-changing, ever-growing, million-paragraph code when he signed a simple will back in the 70s? I doubt it. IMHO, he did exactly what many loving fathers would –exactly what good fathers have done for centuries — he split his estate between his wife and kids. “Aha!” petty critics scream, “ignorance is no defense! he’s guilty of poor estate planning! the family could’ve hired New York lawyers to scheme ways of avoiding the penalty. Woe unto he failing to exploit inheritance tax loopholes, for his heirs shall suffer!”

        If that’s how you want to look at it, fine. Blame Democrats or blame Republicans – there’s enough guilt for all. Regardless, people who care about America know congress MUST simplify the code. Simplify, and our valiant farmers, ranchers, and business owners can go to their eternal rest without paying $25,000+ to some guy in an expensive suit, be he an estate-planning lawyer or an IRS agent. One way to simplify is to eliminate the penalty. South Dakota can get along just fine without a death tax. Poor folks don’t pay it. Silicon Valley & Manhattan billionaires hire clever lawyers to dodge it. Only a few families get stuck, usually because a hard-working, successful person died unexpectedly — before he or she got around to putting final affairs in order. If you think that’s a splendid outcome, you have my sympathy.

        Have a peaceful & blessed holiday.

  7. Where are all those town hall meetings on these tax issues .You run away from us are you scared to face the electorate like Thune and Rounds.

  8. In Kristi’s world, ignorance is an affirmative defense, but unfortunately it isn’t in a court of law.

  9. KM,

    Assuming I am going to pay a certain amount of taxes over my lifetime and I had two choices:

    1). Lower income taxes and an inheritance tax or
    2). Higher income taxes and no inheritance tax.

    I would take #1 all day for these reasons.

    If I am building wealth and being productive during my life, my estate to my children would be greater and I would have paid more total taxes.

    2). If I am not building wealth, I will pay less taxes and leave a smaller estate.

    I prefer to incentivize wealth creators vs. wealth consumers.

  10. That makes sense.

    Are those our options? How about this option: we all pay less taxes, across the board and we decide what to do with our money. Bottom line, the Death Tax is unethical. We know how and where to spend our money, the money we work for. You say you don’t care, well thousands of small business owners do care.

    Democrats want to keep us poor so to control us…’Vote for us, we can take care of you.’ They have crushed the family unit, destroyed men’s will and desire to provide for their families all because they have convinced women the govt knows best.

  11. KM,

    You are putting a lot of words in my mouth which are untrue. Why do you keep insisting on telling lies about my position?

    For wholly rational and prudent financial reasons, I prefer my total tax reduction to come through an income tax reduction. ALL smart small business owners understand the value of current cash flow, the principle of Net Present Value of money, and how deferral of taxes contributes to both. Thus, the money smart ones would trade the death tax for an income tax cut EVERYTIME. You may have an expertise in something but it is clear wealth building in a small business is not one of them and lecturing me otherwise makes you look a fool.

    By the way, while both are a tax of the fruits of labor, I think taxing one’s work and effort SIGNIFICANTLY less moral than taxing the passing on of wealth.

    1. Troy, your position violates the moral principle of double taxation. Instead of it being an issue between corporations and their shareholders, it is an issue between everyone and their family.

    2. Sure, Troy, whatever you say, I’m the fool;) Maybe, you are the one not being clear. Not sure when I said I was an expert, but I do research and pay taxes so I think that does give me some insight.

      You keep offering up options, but my option isn’t good enough for you so I’m a fool. Let’s lower taxes on one’s work and effort and eliminate the inheritance tax, why not both? I’m pretty sure you said you didn’t care if there was a death tax and I think many people do. You seem to be alright with people being raped by the govt, I’m not. My solution is less govt control and lower taxes so we can decide what to do with our money: donate to charity, send our kids to a private school, pay off student loans or other debt, a vacation would be nice.

      I’m not lecturing, I am trying to learn from you and understand what your position is: more taxes, lower taxes, trade this tax for that tax, more govt control?

  12. KM,

    Why do you keep misrepresenting my position or inferring my preference for an inheritance tax over income tax means I’m for/against things I am not?

    I’m for charitable giving. I sent my children to private K-12 (when we lived where there was private K-12 schools) and half went to private colleges. I think vacations are good. I want taxes as low as possible. I do not want people raped by the government. I’m for reforming, eliminating, every regulation possible.

    And, as I’ve said more than once, whatever amount possible for a tax cut, I prefer it ALL in income tax cuts. I prefer to defer the payment of as much of my taxes (whatever I will pay) to my death so during my life I can use the extra money left in my pocket to build wealth for me and my family.

  14. Steve,

    I get your point on double taxation but I don’t think it is compelling. The income tax is a tax on earned income. The inheritance tax is a tax on transferred assets.

    1) Interest and dividend income tax is a tax on assets gained via earned income. The inheritance is a tax on assets via earned income. Is that double taxation?

    2) Is income taxed by the federal government and state government double taxed?

    3) Capital gains tax is paid on transferred (sold) assets. Is not that double taxation?

  15. You prefer an inheritance tax over higher income taxes. I prefer no inheritance tax and lower income taxes. Take it where you can get it, I guess. You are right, I am wrong. As you said, I’m the fool.

    Either way, we are all winning with the new tax plan. I have never received anything from my employer for Christmas, I got a bonus this year, wasn’t much, but better than a kick in the pants.

    Merry Christmas! What a day!

  17. Emily – Hey, no worries. He has disagreed with me before too. I once suggested a listen to Charles C. Cooke’s debate about free speech and giving credit to the audience’s ability to navigate through lies and nonsense. I am not blind to who promotes on SDWC and that’s just it, it’s his blog and I support people making their own choices…so it is what it is.

    Please, keep posting though;)

  18. KM, I would note that the reason those comments went away is because posting from proxy servers is not allowed. As I’ve noted in the rules “If you’re posting from a proxy server, when I catch it, it will likely be gone.”

    That’s why the comments from ‘Emily’ or larry or whatever they’re calling themselves today have been removed.

Comments are closed.