Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Tom DeLay Texas ex-Congressman –The Stubborn #2

Tom Delay

Characteristics of the Second born  with older brother
Some of the traits of a second born are they desire to control their own space and
they do not want to be told what to do, by anyone! Usually a better athlete than the
firstborn and they are very competitive. When the first two children are boy the competition can
get very intense. They will try to dethrone the firstborn if they have a chance.  In this light let’s take a look at the life of former Congressman Tom DeLay.

Early Years
Born in Laredo, Texas April 8, 1947 his family moved to Venezuela when Tom was nine years old. His father was an oil –worker and wildcatter.  A tough guy and alcoholic he was tough on the family. When his dad caught him smoking at age 6 he made him smoke most of a carton of cigarettes.  When Tom didn’t get sick and kept smoking, he got a whipping. A second born will just not give in.  His older brother Ray is 3rys older, and has served time for a conviction for grand theft and is still having problems with the law. (Looks like Tom dethroned him.) Randy his younger brother is three years younger is a lawyer and lobbyist.  The youngest and number 4 his sister Tena a nurse.

In high school Tom played football on the offensive line and only weighted 140lbs. Bigger players underestimated him at their own peril as he was know for his fierce playing. He attended Baylor University for two years, majoring in pre-med but was asked not to return after his sophomore year due to several alcohol-related incidents.   He finished his education at the University of Houston.

Work Before Entering Congress
After college he began work for a pesticide manufacturer, then purchased a small exterminator business. This work was the source for his nickname, “The Exterminator.” This is where he first ran into Government regulations through the EPA.  The pesticide Mirex was outlawed, a very effective agent for fire ant control. He called the EPA, the “Gestapo of government.”  His fighting didn’t end here as he partnered with another exterminator company and a business dispute ended up in court. A number two just doesn’t give up easily.

Family Tragedy
In 1988 his father Charles Ray Delay was critically injured in a tram accident that he and his brother had built to descend the 200 ft bluff to Canyon Lake.  The brakes failed, it jumped the track, and Charles was thrown into a tree and died 27 days later. The family had to take him off  life support.  After the incident Tom cut off all communication with his brothers, sister and mother. What ever his reason, two’s find it very hard to change their minds once set.

Political Career
He started his political career as a state representative in 1979 and while sharing an apartment in Austin Texas he was known as a party guy and a lot of fun.  Still drinking he gave up alcohol in 1984 when running for congress.  It was also this time he dedicated himself to evangelical Christianity. In 1984 he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and became house Whip in 1995 and gained another nickname “The Hammer,” for his reputation for wreaking political vengeance on his opponents.
He resigned in 2006 after being indicted on charges of violating campaign finance laws. He was found guilty on money laundering and conspiracy, November 24, 2010, charges that may carry one to ninety-nine years in state prison. Sentencing will begin December 20, 2010.  Expect him to continue to fight. Number two’s don’t want to be told what to do even if they know they are wrong. Since leaving Congress he has co-authored a memoir, titled No Retreat, No Surrender: One American’s Fight.  A title describing a second born’s view of the world.

Dancing with the Stars
Some may find his participation in Dancing with the Stars out of character for even an ex-Congressman.  But he has a history of dancing from his High School days. When at Calallen High School in Corpus Christi, Texas he was the lead dancer in school productions. True to the athletic number two he continued to compete even with stress fractures in his feet, against doctor’s orders that he drop out of the competition.  Only stopping after the pain became too great.

Tom Delay could be a poster boy for the traits of the second born.  Expect him to appeal
the court decision. He won’t go down without a fight!
 
Website:  www.mybirthorder.com