Family Man’s Fight

April 13, 2025
Seal SD Liberty

A Family Man’s Fight: Why Property Taxes Undermine Liberty and Family Values in South Dakota

I saw something today that hit me right in the heart—during an interview with President Trump, a man said, “I now understand why you fight so hard, because you’re a family man at your core. You care about your family.” That nails it for me, too. I’m Jerry Odom, a deeply committed family man running for South Dakota governor, and I believe we must take care of our family values and our families first. That’s why the issue of property taxes—and taxes in general—is so personal to me. It’s about liberty, yes, but it’s also about ensuring South Dakota families can thrive without the government’s heavy hand crushing their dreams.

A Family Man’s Perspective

I’ve been married to my high school sweetheart for 27 years—a partnership that’s seen us through every challenge, from the highs of building businesses like Mega Games in Orlando to the lows of financial strain. We’ve raised a child together, and now, with our daughter back home after a tough breakup, I’m reminded daily of why I fight. Family is everything. I moved to South Dakota in 2016 for a quiet country life, hoping to give my family the peace and stability they deserve. But the property tax burden—$954 million in 2021-22 (SD News Watch)—threatens that vision, not just for my family, but for every South Dakotan trying to keep a roof over their loved ones’ heads.

I’ve lived on my property for 8 years, dealing with the frustrations of deliveries and visitors struggling to find us, even proposing a sign and gate improvements to make life easier for my wife and daughter. But what’s harder to fix is the financial strain of property taxes, which forces families into impossible choices—pay the taxman or afford groceries, which have skyrocketed with eggs at $6.23 a dozen in 2025 (Post ID: 0). As a family man, I can’t stand by while South Dakotans face this burden. Liberty means taking care of our families first, not the government’s coffers.

The Moral and Constitutional Crisis of Property Taxes

Property taxes aren’t just a financial burden—they’re a moral and constitutional crisis that undermines family values and liberty. The U.S. Constitution, particularly the Fifth Amendment, protects against the deprivation of property without due process and just compensation. Yet, South Dakota’s $954 million property tax haul forces families into distress, risking foreclosure—a de facto seizure without just compensation.

  • Fifth Amendment Betrayal: When families can’t pay their property taxes and face foreclosure, it’s a government taking without just compensation, violating the Fifth Amendment. South Dakotans deserve to keep their homes, not lose them to the taxman’s greed.
  • Due Process Denied: Low-income families, already struggling with 9.4% higher living costs in 2023 (Ludwig Institute, 2025, Web ID: 10), are hit hardest by property taxes—3.5% rates in Custer County (SmartAsset, 2024) mean a $200,000 home costs $7,000 a year. Where’s the due process when families can’t afford both taxes and food?
  • Liberty Undermined: The Founding Fathers defined liberty as freedom from government overreach (Article 1, Section 8; Federalist Papers), but property taxes turn homeownership into a government-controlled nightmare. Families should be free to thrive, not fear losing their homes.
  • Family Values at Risk: High taxes force parents to choose between paying the government or feeding their kids—44 million Americans, including 13 million children, were food-insecure in 2024 (USDA, Web ID: 4). That’s not the family values I fight for; it’s a betrayal of what makes America great.

Economic and Social Fallout for South Dakota Families

  • Financial Strain: With grocery prices soaring—food inflation peaked at 12% in 2022 (Web ID: 3)—families are stretched thin. Property taxes add another $954 million burden, forcing South Dakotans to choose between taxes and essentials like healthcare, with 40% of U.S. adults skipping treatment due to costs (Web ID: 4).
  • Economic Stagnation: High property taxes deter business investment and reduce consumer spending—consumer spending drives 70% of the U.S. economy (Web ID: 5). In South Dakota, this means less money for local businesses, stunting job creation and growth.
  • Threat to Family Stability: The risk of foreclosure due to unpaid taxes threatens family stability—parents shouldn’t live in fear of losing their home while trying to provide for their kids. This isn’t liberty; it’s oppression dressed up as “revenue.”
  • Social Inequality: Property taxes are regressive, hitting low-income families hardest, violating the Fourteenth Amendment’s equal protection clause. South Dakota families deserve fairness, not a tax system that punishes the vulnerable.

Snarky Commentary: Progressive Socialists Posing as Americans

  • Tax Tyranny 2.0: $954 million in property taxes (SD News Watch)—progressives call it “fair,” I call it theft! The Fifth Amendment says no taking without just compensation, but these fake patriots would rather see your family on the street than cut their budget!
  • Family Values? Ha!: Progressives let families choose between taxes and eggs at $6.23/dozen (Post ID: 0)—44 million Americans food-insecure (USDA, Web ID: 4), and they don’t care. Liberty means feeding your kids, not the government’s wallet!
  • Economic Sabotage: High taxes kill growth—South Dakota’s economy stalls while progressives pose as “saviors.” Liberty means thriving families, not struggling ones—progressive socialists wouldn’t know that if it hit them with a tax bill!
  • Constitutional Con Artists: These posers claim to care about “equity,” but their taxes violate the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments—progressive socialism isn’t American; it’s a betrayal of our Founding Fathers’ vision!

The Path Forward: A Family-First, Liberty-First Solution

As a family man, I’m fighting for South Dakotans because I know what’s at stake—our homes, our values, our future. My Gross Receipts Tax (GRT) plan will end property taxes, saving homes and ensuring families can afford the basics without fear of foreclosure. South Dakota’s $1.5 billion sales tax revenue (SD Dept of Revenue, 2023) and $109 million surplus (South Dakota Searchlight, 2023) can fund schools and services without taxing you out of your home. This isn’t just about economics—it’s about restoring the constitutional liberty to own property free from government overreach, so families can thrive.

Join me at the Liberty Forum, April 19th, 2:00 PM, First Assembly of God, Rapid City, to fight for a South Dakota where family values and liberty come first. Let’s end the unconstitutional burden of property taxes and take back our freedom! Share if you’re with me! #OdomForLiberty #SouthDakotaStrong #TaxReformSD #FreedomFirst