The national debate on healthcare issues in the United States has turned feral. Washington legislators returning home for the summer recess are holding town hall meetings (at least those who are unafraid to stand before their constituents) and, in many cases, are facing an unexpectedly shrill crescendo of opposition.
Seldom have I seen such disrespect and condescending language used so dismissively by high-ranking elected officials. Senate majority leader Harry Reid has called opponents “evil-mongers.” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi refers to them as “un-American.”
Recently, in his home district in Massachusetts, Barney Frank, Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee stared down one of his female constituents, accusing her of yelling at him. Congressman Frank bluntly told the woman, “Trying to have a conversation with you is like trying to have one with a dining room table.”
Another volley came from former DNC Chairman, Howard Dean, who warned Republican dissenters to Obama’s healthcare initiatives that “you have to undermine the country in order to undermine the President.” Dean later denied saying that.
Nevertheless, the voice of citizens is having an impact: There now is word that MoveOn.org and Acorn are planning counter-offensives with their own supporter-filled Tea-Party type town hall meetings.
Did you know? Congressman Barney Frank was born in Bayonne, New Jersey. He was educated at Harvard College and, like many other students who graduate from Boston area universities, he chose to make the Bay State his home.
Showing posts with label Barney Frank. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Barney Frank. Show all posts
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Friday, September 19, 2008
Finally, Action!
It’s hard to believe what Congress was about to do in the midst of the financial crisis engulfing the nation. A week from today, the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives were scheduled to go home for three months without lifting a finger to stem the financial markets meltdown. They will not return until after January 1st, 2009.
That may not sound plausible, but just read this excerpt of what Congressman Barney Frank of Massachusetts, Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee had to say in a TV interview just two days ago when asked what Congress would do: “It is inconceivable to do anything before the election” . . . we need “to do this in a rational and measured way.” The Bay State representative went on to say, “It is conceivable that after the election, you could get some kind of consensus . . . it is by no means certain.”
That was on Wednesday. A day later the entire picture, as well as the attitude of this do-nothing Congress made a 180° turn.
We don’t know what words were used by Hank Paulson, Secretary of the Treasury, and Ben Bernanke in a closed door meeting of key legislators yesterday. Whatever both men said, it was enough to light a fire under economically timid and reluctant Republican and Democrat lawmakers. The word is that they have accepted an Administration proposal to unravel the chaos.
If no one throws a monkey wrench in the works, the nation should have a comprehensive law to fix things before these bozos go on vacation. (According to an August 27, Rasmussen report, “just 9% of likely voters give congress positive ratings.”)
That may not sound plausible, but just read this excerpt of what Congressman Barney Frank of Massachusetts, Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee had to say in a TV interview just two days ago when asked what Congress would do: “It is inconceivable to do anything before the election” . . . we need “to do this in a rational and measured way.” The Bay State representative went on to say, “It is conceivable that after the election, you could get some kind of consensus . . . it is by no means certain.”
That was on Wednesday. A day later the entire picture, as well as the attitude of this do-nothing Congress made a 180° turn.
We don’t know what words were used by Hank Paulson, Secretary of the Treasury, and Ben Bernanke in a closed door meeting of key legislators yesterday. Whatever both men said, it was enough to light a fire under economically timid and reluctant Republican and Democrat lawmakers. The word is that they have accepted an Administration proposal to unravel the chaos.
If no one throws a monkey wrench in the works, the nation should have a comprehensive law to fix things before these bozos go on vacation. (According to an August 27, Rasmussen report, “just 9% of likely voters give congress positive ratings.”)
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