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The Spectacle Blog
Upon his retirement, Barney Frank will be the subject of many glowing tributes. The Massachusetts Democrat’s real legacy is creating the problems associated with empowering and then failing to control Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, then imposing the onerous and unconstitutional “solution” of Dodd-Frank.
Though his career probably should have been cut short by scandal years ago, Frank did show some decent instincts on civil liberties, such as when he stood up to the anti-gambling scolds. Yet he oddly spent the rest of his time trying to snuff out economic liberties and moving the national Democratic Party so far to the left that many of his possible successors as ranking Democrat on the House Financial Services Committee — including Maxine Waters — are likely even worse.
Frank’s decision to hang it up may reflect Democratic doubts that they will retake the House and regain their committee chairmanships in 2012. Frank faced a tough reelection fight in 2010 but that district will be an uphill battle for any Republican next year, with Barack Obama a heavy favorite in the commonwealth and Scott Brown hanging on for dear life.
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More Blog Posts by W. James Antle, III
http://spectator.org/blog/2011/11/28/barney-franks-legacy
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Clint| 11.28.11 @ 1:02PM
The Banking Queen Goes Down.
Con Chef (NB) | 11.28.11 @ 1:25PM
A Statement from Ball Gag Bawney:
"My woving conshtituentsh, aftuh a wong cawee-uh of shuh-ving you, and de gay wesidentsh of Dee Shee wif nubiwe young men, I have deshided not to wun foe we-ewction. Unfowtunatewey, my wittle Bawney cannot "ewect" itshelf anymo-uh. Wevitwa & Viawa no wonguh do de twick. Therefo, I take my weave fwom Congwess to stawt wuhk at de Jewwy Sandushky Centuh for Young Men & derefo continue to sherve de needsh of young men! Thanksh fo yo shuppowt."
Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 11.28.11 @ 1:28PM
He just became eligible for an 80% Congressional retirement. That's all it is. He'll get around $132,000 a year for life.
Wayne| 11.28.11 @ 1:53PM
Barney Frank is proof that we should NEVER trust the people who the people of Massachusetts put in office.
9thID| 11.28.11 @ 2:19PM
Including RINO Mitt Romney twin -- Scott Brown...
sjccoach| 11.28.11 @ 2:26PM
"Frank did show some decent instincts on civil liberties." It always amazes me the way establishment CINOs will praise the enemy. Barney Frank is the enemy. He deserves no praise only contempt.
Oldefarte| 11.28.11 @ 2:27PM
With all due respect to Jim's outstanding editorials, Frank is entirely representative of what is wrong with this country and should never have been allowed into any position of political power. He is simply a vile piece of humanity who used his intellect to insult others on numerous occasions, when it is/was he who is/was the only one deserving of scorn and ridicule [due to his brazen homosexuality including semi-criminality of same]. Only Massachusetts yankees could shame themselves by continuously electing such a poor excuse for a human being. As one of the prime instigators of this current housing/real estate crisis by promoting governmental extortion of financials to promote liberal/socialistic housing ownership policies since the enactment of the 1977 CRA, he should be possibly legally prosecuted for fraud/corruption/governmental abuse due to this devastation of the housing market currently. To in any way shape or form propose to praise this worthless human un-being is an outrage!!!!!!!
Bob| 11.28.11 @ 3:19PM
The only relevant part of this article "Barack Obama a heavy favorite in the commonwealth" meaning is the GOPukers stupid enough to nominate Rubbish Romney where he will lose his home state in a landslide? Stupid is as stupid does.
beebop2| 11.28.11 @ 5:18PM
Maybe you posted on the wrong article? I am trying to give you the benefit of the doubt. I personally find it a pity that Frank didn't disappear rather than retire. He is a HORROR of the first magnitude.
BarneyisaDinonosaur| 11.29.11 @ 6:07AM
To quote the late, great Sam Kinison, "It's hard to talk when you've got a dick in your mouth."
imoo| 11.29.11 @ 6:30AM
Amazing.
The man went to Harvard Law School was a 2nd rate lawyer for a short time, became a political aid, then elected to office and has been there ever since. He's now worth millions......all from a Congressional salary?
This is the type of public servant that deserves praise? Yeah, right.
Barney exemplifies exactly what's wrong with politicians today. Yeah, lets praise him. Right.
Solo| 11.29.11 @ 7:47AM
Barney Frank is a lying corruptocrat of the highest order. He's a disgrace to the Institution of the House Of Representatives and a national embarrassment.
Or, more simply put: He's a democrat!
Good riddance to rancid rubbish!