Barney Frank on Morning Joe
Posted: April 28, 2011 Filed under: Democratic Politics, Domestic Policy, Foreign Affairs, Health care reform, Iran, Libya, U.S. Economy, U.S. Military, U.S. Politics | Tags: Congressman Barney Frank, Morning Joe 9 Comments
Barney Frank was on Morning Joe Tuesday. The interview was wide ranging and involved serious discussion of issues. Because of his seniority as the former chairman of the House Finance Committee and current ranking member, he can bring insight to the discussion. When he speaks, I make it a point to listen. He provides framing of subject in a manner that is understandable by the public. Also, we gain insight into what a major leader of the House is thinking.
Key issues discussed were:
- federal debt is a result of past mistakes by both parties
- NATO is a mechanism for Europe to outsource their military costs to the US
- we need a new model of medical care which involves more than Medicare
- clarifying end of life care considerations
- the need to re-evaluate the utility of NATO
- putting a missile shield in Poland to protect them from Iran is not our problem
- problems of Libya are more germane to countries within spitting distance of Libya while NATO wants us to step up with more
- Less defense spending could leave more money for health programs.
The Morning Joe, Barney Frank segment can be viewed here. The first part of the segment is information to set up for the discussion with Barney which starts at 4 minutes. The video is about 17 minutes which enables a good discussion. Joe basically conducts the interview and generally lets Barney make his points. He typically interrupts the conversation only for agreement or clarity.
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I forgot to mention that the Brits on the set were flagging that the story is not in yet on Brit government austerit;y.
Also the impact of Tea Party taking out moderate republicans in the Republican Primary’s. The Castle (Delaware) defeat is the clear example.
I’m over there watching his interview right now … interesting so far.
What a novel concept, spend more of our US dollars on us, instead of them, when necessary. Love the concept of quitting the UN. Love the concept more of expanding healthcare instead of eliminating it Ryan style. Mr. Frank makes alot of sense to me.
What I love about Barney is that he isn’t afraid to speak his mind. He is also a genuine liberal. Thanks for the video, FL.
He is also Clinton smart as is his sister, Ann Lewis who was on Hillary’s senior campaign staff.
And he can be less than polite, but at least he doesn’t pretend to be a populist. I love this woman, she’s really funny:
We never question our defense budget. I completely agree that the other NATO nations don’t carry their fair share of the burden too.
The British recovered after the Second World War by implementing Universal Health coverage for their people and it was the solidifying act that brought the country together.
We are the LAST Western country that doesn’t have Universal Health Coverage for its people, but the country that spends more on weapons and on wars. On sick thing is that the military don’t have coverage post enlistment nor do their families. Sad really, really sad, yet the Republicans run around calling themselves ‘patriots’. 😯
Support HR 676 Medicare for ALL!
nice to have democrats sound like democrats again…where was this when they had the super majority and spent that two year window giving the health “care” industrial complex what it wanted? Didn’t hear much of this sort of talk then.