reddit.com interviews Barney Frank (2 of 5)

[mlc2005]

If people could get past their hate (homophobia for example), they'd realize (as his constituents have in overwhelming numbers since 1980), that this man is brilliant, and perhaps the greatest mind in Congress.

[hyylo]

Put Barney Frank in jail. He supported all the bank bailouts.

End the federal reserve.

Support ron paul to end the federal reserve.

[Torus2112]

This man is my (political) hero. As Nbrain said, he thinks for himself, no mean feat in Congress.

[NickDouglas]

I feel terrible that my favorite part among all the intelligent bullshit-cutting and smart arguments...was when he admonished us to think about pronunciation when picking a username.

[unknownclips]

3:40 YES please!

[NsaneNtheNbrane]

Whether you disagree with him or not, this guy is one of the smartest people in Congress. You can tell from these interviews that he thinks for himself, while so many other politicians(on both sides) act like salespeople who spew out talking points instead of acting like human beings.

[NsaneNtheNbrane]

*that should be agree or disagree

[thedh02]

this guy is hilarious.

[demonikmagic]

Does he have really bad dry mouth or something?

[DitDitDah]

Such a refreshing politician. Even when I disagree with him I really respect his willingness to actually communicate with those whom he represents. That is extremely rare.

[sc0ticus]

I really appreciate his honesty and willingness to talk to me like a human being.

[jgrover78]

If he was so honest, why won't he take responsibility for his positions on GSE's? His positions on these GSE's are a matter of public fact, yet he always puts all of the blame on the Republicans. He is as irresponsible as they come.

[greyflcn]

re: jgrover78

What makes you think GSE's were the problem?

greyfalcon. net/ housing1.PNG

greyfalcon. net/ cds2

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greyfalcon. net/ cds

[jgrover78]

Ok, good question. GSE's were part of the problem--but a large part. GSE's were formed to "help make housing more affordable" but they have done the opposite. The idea that we needed to create entities to drive down the cost of financing where these entities guarantee mortgages is a joke. 1) Driving down the cost of financing drives up prices and 2) having taxpayers guarantee the debt is plain wrong. We've bailed out these GSE's to the tune of over $100B thus far, with another $100B by '10.

[clebo99]

He is pretty good....and I'm on the other side of the aisle.

[jobloe3393]

Look how messy that office is, he must be getting shit done!

[scumbly]

Great piece. I love Mr. Frank's straightforwardness; he's totally thorough but he never waffles on any of these questions. Marijuana legalization isn't the life-or-death issue that some vocal internet petitioners seem think it is, but he's 100% right that the laws as they stand are silly and that the public is largely ahead of their politicians on that issue. Also his side note about pronounceability of screennames made me laugh out loud.

[jgrover78]

It's not straightforwardness when he gives you his slanted views.

[scumbly]

I'd say that's exactly what it is. If he were trying to appease both sides of the debate, or walk a middle ground when he actually believes one side of the issue is correct and the other isn't, that would not be honest or straightforward. That would be pandering and insincere. The fact that he so often takes a clear stance -- and one you are free to disagree with -- is exactly what I'm trying to describe.

[lichnor]

DAMN! Those fingernails shine!

[jrd000000001]

im very proud to say that barney frank is my representative!!

[bilalbadar]

lucky you :)

[jgrover78]

I'm very sorry to say that this garbage is a politician. Shame on you for continuously voting in this time-again-proven failure