About ME

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Grand Prairie, Texas, United States
Mr. E is a Christian, Husband, Father of 2, former Army Officer and Texas Rangers Baseball fan.
Showing posts with label About Me. Show all posts
Showing posts with label About Me. Show all posts

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

If I Were a Candidate For President

As early as my Junior year in High School, I have had a desire to run for some kind of public office. At first it was to become President of the United States someday. Then I decided that the intrusion of the press into my public life would just be to annoying to deal with. What I do in my personal life is no body's business! That said, I still wouldn't mind making a run for U.S. Senate or for Governor of Texas. (if Rick Perry can do it, anyone can!) I would have to convince my bride, Jamie, to support me though. She is convinced that being an elected official would change me fundamentally. She is probably right.

Still I can't help wondering what would be the major issues I would push for. Here are a few.

1) My number one campaign issue would be the national debt. The government of the U.S. needs to show fiscal responsibility. We cannot continue to live as a debtor nation for much longer. We have to stop borrowing money and learn to live off a budget free of needless pork projects. We need to have a plan to pay off the national debt even if it means making cuts that will hurt. We must make paying off the national debt our number one priority over all other issues. I would veto all budgets passed by the Congress unless they have a substantial amount of money set aside to pay off the national debt, which now stands (as of typing this post) at $ 1 4 , 3 4 8 , 7 1 7 , 6 0 0 , 4 1 5 . 5 3 .

2) My second campaign issue would be to repair the infrastructure of the country. The roads, highways, overpasses, bridges, and canals that are essential for transportation in the United States are in much need of repair. It is estimated that the majority of the bridges/overpasses in the United States are on the verge of collapse, yet we continue patch them up as best we can and pray they don't fall apart and people die. We also need to repair the majority of the dams, levies, gas lines, oil lines, aqueducts and water/sewage lines. We have already seen the damage caused by failed levies in New Orleans and along the Mississippi River. Many of the major water lines that feed fresh water to our major cities have leaks that flooding communities and wasting 30-40% of the water that is supposed to be reaching the cities.

3) My third campaign issue would be to repeal most the major treaties that we have with other nations in regards to the use of the United States military. The United States may have the best military in the world, but we cannot and should not protect every other nation in the world at the risk of putting our own citizens in danger. We cannot afford to keep fighting long-term wars that other nations of the world could be handling on their own. We must protect our own borders and secure our own national security first.

4) My fourth campaign issue would be to beef up border security and to revamp our immigration laws. I am all for allowing citizens from other nations moving to the United States in order to live a better life; however, we must be responsible for who we allow to come into our nation and in what numbers. We must find a responsible way for those seeking citizenship to file the necessary paperwork and to become citizens within a reasonable time frame. We must also not be afraid to deport those who have entered the United States illegally. I realize that may result in sending back a huge chunk of our work force, but is an essential step in securing national security and for the proper utilization of taxes and for fair representation in Congress. If you want to live in the United States you must apply for citizenship in a legal manner.

5) One thing I would also suggest, and it is probably the most controversial; is that citizens would no longer have to pay an income tax, until the government learns to live off a balanced budget. If the government cannot spend our tax dollars responsibly, then we should not give them any more money to spend. I realize that this may make it harder to pay off the debt or fix our crumbling highways; but if a person has the right to withdraw their money from a failing bank, then they also should have the right to have the option to pay taxes to our government until the government can properly account for where that money is going and for what purpose.

Of course there are many other issues I could comment on, but these are my Big 5 issues. If you want to know how I stand on other issues, then feel free to leave a comment and I will answer.

Sunday, June 29, 2008

Tag I'm It ... 30 Things About Me

Recently, my lovely bride, Jamie, was "tagged" by a friend to complete a list about her. I wasn't officially "tagged" by Jamie, but I love list. So here goes...tag I am it.

1) LAST MOVIE YOU SAW IN A THEATER. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Krystal Skull, I really want to see The Dark Knight, when it comes out.

2) WHAT BOOK ARE YOU CURRENTLY READING? Adam by Ted Dekker

3) FAVORITE BOARD GAME? Beyond Balderdash

4) FAVORITE MAGAZINE? Country Magazine and Country Extra, I like to try and find the needles.

5) FAVORITE SMELLS? Brownies cooking

6) FAVORITE SOUNDS? My kids laughing, rain, silence, and the sounds of the crowd at a baseball game.

7) WORST FEELING IN THE WORLD? Knowing my kids are hurting and I can't do anything about it.

8)WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU THINK OF WHEN U WAKE? Sadly, I think of all the things I have to do today (and just recently, when will God find me another job).

9) FAVORITE FAST FOOD PLACE? Chick-Fil-A, I love their Cow Calendars

10) FUTURE CHILD'S NAME? If we have any, we would most likely have to adopt. A girl, I would name Hannah Grace or Rebekkah Grace, maybe....a boy, Benjamin Luke, maybe....

11) FINISH THIS STATEMENT—’IF I HAD A LOT OF MONEY I’d… pay off all debt and travel more

12) DO U DRIVE FAST? In the city, I unintentionally do, but on the highways, not so much.

13) DO U SLEEP WITH A STUFFED ANIMAL? Only if the dog or cat sleeps with me.

14) STORMS–COOL OR SCARY? Very Cool

15) WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CAR? Green Buick Limited with an 8-Track player in it.

16) FAVORITE DRINK? A Caramel-Mocha Frappachino from Starbucks

17) FINISH THIS STATEMENT-IF I HAD THE TIME I WOULD… finish writing my new book, travel and work on the house to make it beautiful.

18) DO YOU EAT THE STEMS ON BROCCOLI? Yes

19) IF YOU COULD DYE YOUR HAIR ANY OTHER COLOR, WHAT WOULD BE YOUR CHOICE? Blondish?

20) NAME ALL THE DIFFERENT CITIES/TOWNS U HAVE LIVED IN. In order...DeKalb, Alice, Gilmer, Tyler, Abilene, Winnsboro, Mt. Pleasant, Howe, and Longview all in Texas

21) FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? Texas Rangers baseball, especially, live!

22) ONE NICE THING ABOUT THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? No one sent it to me, I just found it on Jamie's blog -- All Rolled Into One, she does have the most beautiful smile in the entire world though.

23) WHATS UNDER YOUR BED? Some storage items, lots of dust bunnies

24) WOULD U LIKE TO BE BORN AS YOURSELF AGAIN?? I was born again; when I became a Christian and I really don't want to go back to my old self. I hate my old self. Still haven't quite forgiven him yet...need to work on that.

25) MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL? Morning Person

26) OVER EASY OR SUNNY SIDE UP? Over Easy, with bacon and some pancakes from I-HOP

27) FAVORITE PLACE TO RELAX? On the couch, I guess.

29) FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR? I am a plain old Vanilla guy, but if I had to pick another flavor...Karamel Sutra by Ben & Jerry

30) OF ALL THE PEOPLE U HAVE TAGGED, WHO IS THE MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND FIRST? I am not going to "TAG" anyone. I just love lists and decided to fill one out for myself.

Thursday, June 26, 2008

The Movie of My Life

Found this on the blog of Big Doofus and thought it would be fun to try it. Here goes!

IF YOUR LIFE WAS A MOVIE, WHAT WOULD THE SOUNDTRACK BE?

Here's how it works:
1. Open your library (iTunes, Winamp, Media Player, iPod, etc)
2. Put it on shuffle
3. Press play
4. For every question, type the song that's playing (don't skip to a song you think would be better)
5. When you go to a new movie scene, press the next button
6. Don't lie and try to pretend you're cool...
7. Include commentary

Opening Credits -- "In Christ Alone" by The Newsboys -- This a great song that really sums up how I want to live my life. Since my soundtrack and my real life revolves around my relationship with Jesus, it is more than fitting that this is the opening song.

Waking Up -- "The Wallace and Gromit Theme Song" by Julian Nott -- How strange that the theme of an animated/claymation show should show up here. This song is kind of catchy and corny, which I guess could describe my morning routine when I wake up, especially when I was a kid, except I had a cat and not a dog.

First Day at School -- "Today has been, OK" by Guiliann Torrini -- This song has appeared on the Grey's Anatomy Soundtrack. I think it fits my first day of school. I thought it would be horrible, but it turned out OK anyway. It's a relaxing sound to it, which fits after a tough first day at school.

Falling in Love -- "You're Beautiful" by James Blunt -- A great song to fit an unhealthy love relationship. My "first love" was a crush I had on a girl named Lisa in first grade. I kept this strange crush until after High School. I really didn't know what I would do if I couldn't eventually marry her. I'm glad I didn't though. At least I didn't jump off a bridge as James Blunt did in his music video.

Fight Song -- "The Indiana Jones Theme" from Raiders of the Lost Ark by John Williams -- I wasn't sure if this was the school fight song or a song about a fight; either way the song seems to fit the theme. Swashbuckling hero who saves the day. Sadly I was the one who was getting picked on a lot and I could only dream of being Indiana Jones.

Breaking Up -- "Haunted" by Evanescence -- Sadly in real life I didn't have many girlfriends to break up with; however, if I did, this song would fit perfectly. It is "haunting" in the sound of the song and it is a great relationship song as well.

The Prom -- "Dancing With Myself" by Bill Idol -- This song fits on so many levels. # 1. It is a great 80's song, which fits the time frame of my prom. # 2. I was such a nerd, spent several dances at my Senior Prom, dancing with myself. : (

Life's Ok -- "There Goes My Life" by Kenny Chesney -- Not sure why this song popped up here, maybe it is because I found my "true love" at this point in my life (in the movie), even though I really didn't find her until near the end of college. Cool song though! It alone would fit almost any one's life story.

Mental Breakdown -- "Feel Good, Inc." by The Gorillaz -- Good song, Good beat, Easy to Dance To. This song is from a very strange group of animated monkey guys...It fits perfectly with a mental episode I might be having at any given moment. I would probably be bustin' out in some random dance moves during this mental breakdown though.

Driving Away -- "Chains of Love" by Erasure -- "Together we'll break these chains of love." Not my first choice for a driving song, but if me and my "love" are running off together after having a mental breakdown, it might work. It does have a nice 80's alternative sound to it.

Flashback -- "It Is You" by The Newsboys -- This is the second appearance of the Newsboys on the soundtrack. Good song to flashback to the moments in my life when Jesus was there for me and I was to busy looking somewhere else for my happiness. It is also a good song to refocus your life to.

Getting Back -- "When She Cries" by Restless Heart -- perfect fit for a song about realizing how your actions can cause pain for someone you love and how you want to get back to them and make things right. Great crossover country hit from the late 80's.

Wedding -- "Incomplete" by the Backstreet Boys -- ??? You would think a song at a wedding would be about completeness and becoming one, but then again isn't this song saying that without you I would be incomplete? Yeah, the song fits in a weird sort of way, but the Backstreet Boys...Ahhhh!

Birth of a Child -- "Dreamtime" by Daryl Hall -- I have racked my brains trying to figure out how a "you are living in fantasy relationship" song by one of the members of the 80's group Hall & Oates, fits into this part of my life. If I went by the title alone, then the song would fit. Having a child does tend to wake one up from a "All is perfect" fantasy life to the often difficult realities of being a parent.

Final Battle -- "Get on Your Feet" by Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine -- Interesting and upbeat song for a "final battle" but who says conflict resolution is always a difficult fight or sad time. I like the fact my final battle ends with a song about getting on your feet and making things happen, with a little bit of dancing to go along with it.

Death Scene -- "Say, Say, Say!" by Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson -- You can "Say, Say, Say what you want" about me when I am dying, I won't care one bit. I know what Jesus says about me is the only thing that counts. I can imagine me watching a 80's flashback on MTV when this video comes on, and then I quietly "pass on" sipping on a Dr. Pepper, while sitting in my blue Lazy-Boy.

Funeral Song -- "Every Breath You Take" by the Police -- How funny this song is talking about breathing when I am no longer breathing. I guess it is referring to the people at my funeral and how "I'll be watching you" even after I am gone.

End Credits -- "For the Sake of the Call" by Stephen Curtis Chapman -- probably could have switched this song with the opening credits. Maybe my life will inspire others to "Abandon it all, for the sake of the call" of Jesus. It has a great musical piece at the start of the song, that fits how end credits normally run, before starting the inspiring song.

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

5 Weird Things About Me

I have been tagged by my fellow blogger Tech Daddy to list 5 weird things about me.

Ok, I accept the tag!

# 1. I have an irrational fear of "Cupie Dolls" or other doll like toys that can open and close their eyes, talk or otherwise act in a human nature. Probably explains why I have never watched or want to watch the Chucky movies. It's hard for me to sleep in rooms with them, look at them or even read about them. There is at least one member of the Ghost Hunters, on TV, who has the same fear. Once my daughter got one of these type of dolls for Christmas (from a cousin) and I forbid her to open it. I think we ended up trading it in for something else or giving it away.

# 2. I can name all the Presidents of the United States in order, (first, middle, last names), the party they served and the years they served. I am currently memorizing the top candidates names and info, so I will have President #44 ready to go. {Nothing personal against Hillary Clinton, but if she gets elected it would have made memorizing the last 4 very easy (Bush, Clinton, Bush, Clinton). Come on give me a challenge!

# 3. My High School sports team mascot was the Buckeye (a poisonous nut). We were one of only two schools in the nation, (The other being Ohio State University), to have the Buckeye as a mascot.

# 4. I hate the sound of Styrofoam rubbing against itself. I almost cry and just want to pass out when I hear the sound. Don't think I would make it as a superhero. Superman has Kryptonite, I have Styrofoam.

# 5. I also suffer from OCD. I have to have many things in my life in a certain order. My shirts and pants hang in my closet in a certain order. I make constant lists of things I want or need to do. I used to have my movies in alphabetical order and dishes in the cabinets stacked in certain ways. I am getting better, but you better not rearrange my closet or I might just freak out!

My Bonus Weird Thing is... I have a secret crush on Mrs. Incredible (aka: Mrs. Helen Parr, or Elasti-Girl) from the movie The Incredibles. Cute voice, stretchy, good mother, looks good in the new hero costume. I wonder if they make that costume for adult women at Halloween? My wife would be a great Mrs. Incredible, WAIT, she already is. LOVE YA HONEY!

Now, who to tag next! Hmmm, I don't know anyone else to tag that I read with any regularity. I'll think of someone though. Oh, Oh, I know...I'll tag my son....CmE Domain. He's almost 13 there should be plenty of weird things about him.