Friday, October 22, 2010

Dan Soucek's Incredibly Shrinking "Small Business"

NC Senate candidate Dan Soucek himself is the one who made an issue out of his supposed "small business." He has included "small businessman" as a self-descriptor on his campaign website and in his campaign "Bio" on YouTube and in TV ads, perhaps because he feels he needed to pump up his qualifications for high office. The "small businessman" moniker has been picked up as a key descriptor for Soucek far and wide, from the N.C. Republican Majority to a letter to the editor in the High Country Press to the Burlington Press “M2MPolitics.com” site.

Take a look at Soucek's financial disclosure statement ("Statement of Economic Interest"), which he was required to file under new state government ethics laws. See anything odd?

Under 6(a), Soucek answered "No" and "None" to this question:
"Do you, your spouse, or members of your immediate family have financial interests valued at $10,000 or more in a non-publicly owned company or business entity (including interests in partnerships, limited partnerships, joint ventures, limited liability companies, limited liability partnerships, and closely held corporations?"

The triggering threshold of $10,000 of value may be the key here. But later in the same form, under question 10, "List the name of each source of income ... of more than $5,000," Soucek listed "Double D Disposal" and "cash" as the type of income. He was not required to list specific amounts.

The inescapable conclusion, then, about the "small business" which Soucek thinks especially qualifies him for the NC 45th Dist. Senate seat is that he made between $5,000 and $10,000 in cash from it in 2009.

37 comments:

FanOfDan said...

You might escape your "inescapable conclusion" if you worked on your reading comprehension a little.

THE salary one receives from a business has no direct correlation with the value of the business.

If Dan works 20 hours a week at his small business and pays himself a salary of $10.00 an hour, he will 'make' $10,400 dollars from the business.

The value of the business would be based on the assets of the business, not the payroll.

You are so full of venom and hatred for anyone running against your democrat heroes that you just can't help yourself. While you complain about "negative" campaigning, this hate site of yours is mostly about attacking Republicans. Not a word of complaint about the negative campaigns of ANY Democrat - nor do you seem at all embarassed about the way you misrepresent facts when you post negative nonsense about Republicans.

Pot, meet Kettle!

Anonymous said...

Certainly getting tired of constant attacks on Dan Soucek and you are the ones pointing fingers at him saying he is attacking. Makes no sense. I call this fear on your part.

Matter of fact, Dan Soucek campaign is simply stating the facts. Soucek will be going to Raleigh, face it folks. I shall support him.

Henery said...

FanOfDan, working up a good head of righteous indigation there! What are you ... Soucek's campaign manager, or his wife?

Soucek looks like an empty shirt. He makes up a "small business" for campaign purposes, but if I wanted to use his "business," how would I find it? Not in the White Pages, not in the Yellow Pages. Soucek has a "small business" the same way a 15-year-old with a lawn mower has a "small business." We praise the work ethic of the 15-year-old, but the phoniness of the 30-year-old sticks out like a sore thumb.

Soucek reminds me of another "top gun" name of George W. Bush, who got pushed forward for political office by his puppet-masters and never had a clue about what was going on around him. If Soucek gets to Raleigh, he'll be somebodys obedient puppet -- no doubt about it -- and not much else.

Anonymous said...

Henery...
You claim George W Bush was pushed forward by puppet masters????

Interesting comment. Thank you for opening up a good discussion. I call those that followed Nancy Pelosi, who is one of the greatest dangers to our society with her shallow ideals, arrogance, need for power, the true puppet master. Why else would others follow her in voting for a healthcare reform bill that our representatives had not even read.
Pelosi is the true puppet master.

Enough said....

Henery said...

Real men don't eat Pelosi.

Anonymous said...

With every thread
Williamson makes it clear he has had no experience in the private sector or the free market and has eaten from the public trough his entire life. He has no experience or knowledge of the real world from which to form an opinion. He is a prime example of the root terms of the word sophomoric - educated fool.

Henery said...

Can't help noticing, Anannymous, that you find it a whole lot easier attacking JW than in explaining Soucek's fabrication of a "small business"

FanOfDan said...

I do not agree with very much that Mr. Williamson posts...


BUT...


I do thank him and give him a GREAT deal of credit for his willingness to post unedited, the views of those with opposing positions.



Thank

Anonymous said...

Henery:

How dare you, or anyone, make fun of a small business, whether a 15- year old's, 30-year old's, or whatever age. Just like those of your ilk. When you can't find anything to criticize anyone about, you attack and belittle them very personally.

And as for puppets in the NC legislature, there are plenty already there, including Goss and Tarleton. They and their bosses and colleagues have a very damaging agenda to continue that has plagued NC for a century.

How about a change? It can't get any worse.

Anonymous said...

He (Williamson) does not allow free access to those that disagree with him. He regularly does not allow posts that do not agree with his opinion to be posted. He selects the content that we see or do not see. He deserves censure not thanks for this.

Anonymous said...

I was merely commenting on the very astute first post of FanOfDan. This was not an attack. I do not know if Soheck has a business or not, but nothing Willamson has posted proves anything.

Anonymous said...

I have a small business and it takes a lot of work to keep it going. You might call this small business a dream I have had for many years. It is a passion. Unfortunately, I do not have the time to make it what I want it to be. I work a full time job. My small business is an avocation. I would be willing to say Dan's is the same thing and I admire him for doing it.

I also agree with the comment regarding Goss and Tarleton. They have been used as puppets. Unfortunately they have allowed this to happen and it is destroying their political careers. They have had two terms to push what they truly believe and stand for and it just did not happen. Truthfully, I have supported them in the past, but can not this time.

Anonymous said...

FanOfDan,

So, expecting a politician to be honest about what he does for a living equals "venom" and "hatred"? Sounds like a stretch to me, but whatever. I have an idea, though: Since you're such a "fan," would you mind doing us all a favor and telling us what he does for a living?

NotAFanofDan said...

I'll tell you what he does. Nothing. He has a 'job' at SP where he is paid to run for office. He will continue to be paid to run for office until there are no additional seats to run for that he has not lost. A logical person would lose a race, and maybe try to run for something at a more local level. Not Dan. My prediction is that Dan will run for Soil and Water, lose, and run for Congress after the Foxx.

Opinionated said...

I read Dan's financial statement - I figured the pickup truck with a blade on it that he uses to pick up garbage and push snow would be the assets of his "business", and that truck is worth at least $10,000. I think he just didn't understand the questions on the form.

Another example? Question 9 - is he an employee of a non-profit charitable or religious organization? He says "no", then lists Samaritan's Purse as his employer. Either he doesn't understand the questions, or Samaritan's Purse is a for-profit entity.

I think he doesn't understand the questions.

And given the fact that Steve Goss argued and voted AGAINST the "Party Line" on several issues in Raleigh, the idea he's anyone's puppet is hogwash.

FanOfDan said...

Anonymous asks:"Since you're such a "fan," would you mind doing us all a favor and telling us what he does for a living?"

OK anan....I don't mind at all. Perhaps you could also share what you have done for other people and for your country these past 20 years.

As for Dan....Since you apparently rely on others to provide you with information rather than do your own research.....here it is.





Bio

Dan has spent the last 20 years of his life serving our country and his community in leadership positions.Upon graduating from West Point in 1991, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in Army Aviation. During his more than eight years on active duty, he served in a variety of leadership positions culminating as the Company Commander of the International Student Office at Ft. Rucker Alabama. His achievements include qualification in the AH-1 Cobra and UH-1 Huey helicopters, Airborne and Air Assault qualified, AH-1 Top Gun Award recipient, and Iron Aviator triathlon champion.After resigning his commission in 1999 he moved to Boone, North Carolina to assume the role of Young Life Area Director for Watauga, Ashe and Avery counties. In 2004 he began working as the Asia Regional Director for Operation Christmas Child at Samaritan’s Purse.His time in the Army, with Young Life and Samaritan’s Purse have given him many opportunities to serve his community as well as reach out to the impoverished and needy around the world. His duties and assignments have allowed him to work with the U.S. State Department, General Officers and religious leaders from many countries, international business leaders, and governments at all levels from customs officials to Governors, a Prime Minister, and a King.During his time in the High Country he has served as a cross country and track coach at Watauga high school, coached youth soccer and served as an adult and high school Sunday school teacher at Alliance Bible Fellowship. In addition to his current position of Logistics Officer and International Disaster Manager with Samaritan’s Purse, he is the owner-operator of a local small business. Dan is an avid outdoorsman enjoying hiking, camping, running, biking, snowboarding, kayaking and ultimate frisbee. Dan and his wife Kim have been married for 15 years and have three children, Isaac, Janie Ann and Lucy. The Soucek’s reside in Watauga County.

And for the other ANONYMOUS who said that Williamson regularly denies posting opinions that he does not support.....I don't know. It has been my experience that he has posted whatever I have submitted disagreeing with his positions. My first post on this thread is a good example......Certainly not favorable to his position, but he did post it without change.

Based only on MY experiences....I give him credit.

FanOfDan said...

Henery:

How dare you, or anyone, make fun of a small business, whether a 15- year old's, 30-year old's, or whatever age. Just like those of your ilk. When you can't find anything to criticize anyone about, you attack and belittle them very personally.

And as for puppets in the NC legislature, there are plenty already there, including Goss and Tarleton. They and their bosses and colleagues have a very damaging agenda to continue that has plagued NC for a century.

How about a change? It can't get any worse.

12:02 PM
Anonymous Anonymous said...

He (Williamson) does not allow free access to those that disagree with him. He regularly does not allow posts that do not agree with his opinion to be posted. He selects the content that we see or do not see. He deserves censure not thanks for this.


To be honest, that has NOT been my experience and I based my earlier comments solely on my own personal observations.

I have opposed his positions before as an anonymous poster and certainly my initial post on this thread was hostile to his position. In each case, he has posted unedited my full statement.

For that, I tip my hat to him.

I honestly can't speak for what you or others may have experienced.

Mike D. said...

"He (Williamson) does not allow free access to those that disagree with him. He regularly does not allow posts that do not agree with his opinion to be posted. He selects the content that we see or do not see. He deserves censure not thanks for this." - Anonymous


I have been posting views contrary to and critical of J.W. for at least four years in this forum, and to my best recollection, not one of my posts has ever been censored by J.W..

Anonymous, perhaps you are doing it wrong.

Anonymous said...

So far six of mine have been censored. Most of these were in reply to hypocrisy and particularly the sexual innuendo that is allowed on one side of the political spectrum but not the other. I will psot an example and see if it makes the cut this time.

Anonymous said...

It seems to me that it boils down to just one actuality.

Dan Soucek has a good chance to beat Goss, and some of you, including JW, cannot stand to think of that probability. So JW and his allies resort to demean and ridicule this young man, and even one poster makes fun of Dan's name.

Just how low can you seemingly caring progressives go? Answer me, JW?

Again, you cannot stand competing on a level playing field. You want everything lopsided in your favor. Well, this time you might not get it.

Anonymous said...

Anon, if you consider a level playing field what this election has been thus far between Dan & Steve Goss, you really do drink the koolaide with full blinders on. I consider it akin to a bully on a playground kicking someone in the gut over and over and over again & then getting annoyed if the other guy decides to throw a punch in return. Give me a freakin' break!

Fred said...

It is laughable to suggest Tarleton and Goss are puppets and Soucek is not. Laughable. I have been slammed with the (sometimes) disgusting mailers that arrive every day not by Soucek but in support of him. Follow the money. Art Pope and others from elsewhere have bought Soucek and harnessed his so-called Christian "do-good" bs for their own evil ways. Soucek is bought and sold. Anyone who can't see this is either an idiot or simply unwilling to see the truth for political reasons.

FanofHonesty said...

Sorry, Fan, I mistyped when asking about Dan's source of income. I know some of what he has done "for a living," but I was hoping you'd enlighten us on the "business" he supposedly owns.

FYI, I posted as "Anonymous" because I have Google accounts didn't notice the option of using a name not connected to those. Silly me. I wouldn't be surprised if this wasn't why many post in the same way.

Oh - by the way - I have done many things for my community, including thousands of hours of volunteer work for my church. It's interesting how quick conservatives are to assume those leaning left are mere leaches on society. We aren't.

Anonymous said...

You HAVE been given "freaking breaks"---for a century now through your own shady, corrupt means.

'Like writing and voting in all the laws of this New Age state that affect everything.

'Like elections, qualifications, taxes, taxes, taxes, misdemeanors, felonies, businesses, spending, spending, spending, etc.

Now, just who are the bullies?

You, Dems and progressives, have CONTROLLED THE PLAYING FIELD all these many decades, and you are the ones who have been doing the kicking and bullying on others trying to compete on that lopsided and manipulated playing field.

You, Dems and progressives, have been drinking the koolaide yourselves and also forcing it and the blinders on others, while telling us that you know what's best for all.

Henery said...

"all the laws of this New Age state that affect everything"

From your angry angry angry tone, Anonymous, we reckon you're talking about "all those laws" like

Social Security?
Medicare?

Or maybe you mean the laws that give equal protection to blacks or the ones that give equal pay to women.

Or the ones that offer some measure of workplace safety.

You'd get rid of all of that. I get it. Trouble is, you poor smuck, even your saviors the Republican Party wouldn't do it for you when they were lately in power and won't do it for you if they get into power again.

Talk about deluded!

FanOfDan said...

FanofHonesty says: "Oh - by the way - I have done many things for my community, including thousands of hours of volunteer work for my church. It's interesting how quick conservatives are to assume those leaning left are mere leaches on society"

Isn't it interesting though that, nowhere did I suggest that you did not volunteer your time for worthy purposes. Nor did I assume anything about left leaning liberal leaches.....

Maybe you just assumed that I did.

=o}

Anonymous said...

Henery:

FYI

I was speaking of this New Age NC state legislature that has been controlled, controlled, controlled and abused, abused, abused by the Dems and progressives for a century.

And further, FYI, I am not a Republican, nor do I believe the Republicans are the saviors, because they have been subverted by many perpetually compromising and traitorous shills within their ranks for decades.

But in regard to the cold reality of this state's terrible condition, we don't have much of a choice. But, with maybe the Republicans in control for a change, things can't get much worse.

I would much rather have someone like Soucek and Jordan representing us in Raleigh than the same ole, same ole tax, tax, tax, spend, spend, spend, bigger and bigger Big Brother state government agenda.

Now, Henery, remember, I am speaking of the state level.

FanofHonesty said...

Or maybe I was responding to another post. You're not the only one on here, Fan.

brotherdoc said...

Well, I hesitate to jump in with all the blood and bile spilled already but I just wanted to say I have read that official bio of Dan in several places, where it has appeared word for word on every website since 2008 when he last ran for office and lost. It still does not say what his small business is. Is no one willing to step up and say it? We have some indication that he has a truck with a snow plow and that he works for/with something called Double D, a trash disposal company. If he has a garbage service and earns a few bucks in winter pushing snow, and has set up a small business to use his truck as a tax advantage for that, so be it, why not 'fess up and say so? The other items on his resume (except the SP position, for which I presume he's well paid, and which clearly must be the largest source of income) are not current. Of course, a guy can claim "small business experience" for a truck that does double duty (Double D?) hauling trash and pushing snow. Not knocking the small businessman...it's just that I think most people would be honest enough to say, in all modesty, "mine is about as small a business as a grownup can have."

Agreatfanofdan said...

The State is in terrible condition. A change has to be made. I am not going to attack anyone here, but I will certainly stand to support Soucek and Jordan. A change has to be made.

FanOfDan said...

"Or maybe I was responding to another post. You're not the only one on here, Fan."

Yeah, I'm sure that must be it. I just got a little confused when you addressed your post to "Fan"...

In any case, it's refreshing that the biggest "negative" you all seem to find about Dan is that you don't think his business makes enough money,

It's probable that Goss does make more money than Dan so - if that's your criterea - go ahead and vote for him.

I am voting for a change in control of the NC Senate. Dan is the one that can bring that change.

Opinionated said...

Steve Goss certainly doesn't make more money than Dan Soucek. Soucek has enough money to buy THREE houses in Blowing Rock; Steve Goss owns a small house where he and his wife have lived for 20 years, after coming home from the overseas mission field.

The problem is not that Dan doesn't make enough money, or makes too much money, or does or does not have a small business, it's that he claims a small business in his bio that no one can find to hire, and that he doesn't seem to know how to list on his financial forms.

And, frankly, North Carolina is in pretty good shape - unlike many of the states around us. No local governments are declaring bankruptcy, times are tough and money's tight but we're managing o.k., and the state's debt isn't overwhelming. I'm sticking with Goss.

Anonymous said...

Mr. Williamson,
Your comments in the article once again show the double standard of you and your worshipers. Dan Soucek owns and operates a trash removal business. It is not large because of his other obligations to Samaritan's Purse. Your double standard is picking on Soucek for his small business when Billy Kennedy could not make it at a builder during our boom years

brotherdoc said...

Thanks, Opinionated, I started to say what you said about the state being in pretty decent shape but my post was too long already. NC was recently reported to be among the top 4 or 5 states in the nation for its favorable business climate--somehow that was accomplished under majority Democratic rule, will wonders never cease? Will the same thing be true after the reckless Teapublican tax-cutters and budget-slashers have their way in Raleigh? Guess we will see.
And yes, ol' Steve Goss is a preacher, and a Baptist at that, not one of those that rides around in a limo or has a private airplane at his disposal (think: SP's Franklin Graham) so he for sure has a lower personal income than Dan. Not knocking Dan the small businessman, you understand--just the high roller (non-)profiteers he hangs with, who somehow think what feathers their nests is what God intended for them to have.

Anonymous said...

North Carolina will receive approximately $634 million from the federal government under H.R. 1586, a $26 billion plan to give states money for Medicaid and education that the President signed into law on August 10, 2010.[3]

North Carolina has a total state debt of $43,742,516,373 when calculated by adding the total of outstanding debt, pension and OPEB UAAL’s, unemployment trust funds and the 2010 budget gap as of July 2010.
If NC is in such great shape why not turn down the Fed's $, help taxpayers across the nation and pay off all our debt.........not gonna happen cause they can't do it! New budget is a mess!

brotherdoc said...

Maybe if Americans for Prosperity, the Pope people, Civitas institute, etc. wanted to really help NC they would take all the money they are pouring into the election and make a voluntary donation to the state treasury to help cover the budget shortfall. All those millions would have some effect.

Anonymous said...

Brotherdoc, giving money to the treasury in order to allow the leftists that have ruined our country, state, county, and towns to continue makes little sense. It is smarter to weed the garden of the noxious growth.