Meeting the People Vol 25

Bawney Fwank meets the voters:

It was a tough crowd Tuesday night at the senior center in Dartmouth, Mass. But neither Rep. Barney Frank nor his critics seemed to back down.

The often contentious town hall-style event with the Democratic congressman, chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, drew more than 500 people, some shouting and booing as Frank spoke.

The topics ranged from health care reform to financial issues, such as the federal bank bailouts. Big government policies fueled much of the outrage expressed at the forum, as has been the case at other town hall events attended this month by members of Congress.

Several voters at the town hall wanted to know how the government would pay for the reforms without worsening a growing federal budget deficit.

"The economy is collapsing," one woman told Frank, suggesting that President Obama has chosen the wrong time to pursue health care reform.

Frank said some money could come from a tax hike on people making more than $325,000 a year and clamping down on foreign tax havens used by companies operating in the country.

When she compared the administration's policies to Germany under Hitler, Frank responded by asking her, "On what planet do you spend most of your time?"

Frank's response drew a mix of applause and shouts.

Did anybody ask Bawney about his refusal to allow increased oversight of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac that resulted in the collapse of those institutions and the economy? This is a guy who has never run anything bigger than the male prostitution ring that was operated out of his house by his boyfriend, and he wants to take over your health care.