Thank God he's finally leaving. I've lived in his district for many years, and have been trying to vote him out for ages.

Barney is a perfect example of why we need term limits on congress and senate. 2 terms Max.

Barney Frank...the Democrats version of Newt Gingrich...

Agreed. Barney probably has a job lined up at FM & FM. I'm sure his partner can get him one since he's in the financial/mortgage industry.

Frank will be known as one of the 3 maestros that orchestrated the mortgage mess and financial crisis.

GOOD RIDDANCE TO BAD RUBBISH! No other member of congress played a larger roll in the subprime housing mess and subsequent crash of the housing market. Feisty, your admiration of this low life tool, that dished out more crap than any other Congressman, speaks volumes about your typical partisan BS.

Actually, Cliff, he's a brilliant guy. If you're into correcting other contributors then you might want to correct your own. That should be you're, not your.

It is a step in the right direction. Now... they need to prosecute the SOB and send him to the pokey.

going into the "family" business full time perhaps?

you mean his corrupt lying liberal BS!!! he should go to jail

for fannie and freddie!

Not-he is a joke. My prayers have been answered, no more Barney. Thank you Lord!

Fiesty-what you been smokin? He is a progressive? More like regressive.

Fiesty-yes we all feel better now, you should go and have fun with Barney. Newt doesn't want to play with you right now.

Barney: "What? There is no housing bubble."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-YtqVIKTTE&feature=related

Ding Dong the witch is dead.

Hoppie - Brilliant? Wow.

With you on this one Feisty, don't know if some of the policies he championed backfired, but his acid tongue on republican thugs was right on. I don't think his retirement will shut him up. I'll miss you Barney!!

One wonders how this idiot ever got elected in the first place? Or why he and Dodd weren't indicted over the fannie and freddie scam that ruined the country.

Good riddance Frank, hope you rot in hell!

Goodbye Mr. Frank and good luck in your retirement. You've always been a great supporter of the common folk and a wise and common sense Congressman. You will be missed.

Obama in 2012.

Yes, but as it turns out it has been Mr. Gingrich HIMSELF who it would seem was primarily responsible for Freddies involvement in the economic downturn. ; ] Projecting his guilt onto others in unbecoming of a "statesman" which we know he is not. Furthermore where is that good ol' responsibility for ones own actions tea bagging republican extremist keep speaking about? Hmmm.

And Mr. Gingrich believes it is Mr. Frank who must be imprisoned? On what charges specifically sir? Because there are many to be brought to your door step I am sure. ;]

Cheers

Happy days! However, hopefully the voters in his district will not replace him with another crook.

Frank was an idiot.... The averagae IQ of a congressman has gone up several points with his departure.

Look up political corruption in the encyclopedia and you will see his photo displayed prominantly... along with Dodd, Franken, and many other democrats!

Wow! I've never stepped onto a post with so much hatred flying around. It's like ducking bats swarming from a cave at sunset!

But I take comfort in this: If so many on the lunatic fringe hate Barney Frank, then he certainly did something right!

ey you don't even want to put this in terms of "crook." Just check the financial statements to see who benefited most from association w/ the "fannies." Barney has commited the terrible crime of looking out for middle class and working poor and Newt has looked out for Newt - period! Thanks Barney, you have been and will be appreciated.

good riddens to bad garbage

Thank God. Best news I have heard all day. He is a prime example of what's wrong in Washington IE Dodd Frank....Good riddance Barney. Now go screw up FM & FM for the second time...

Glad to see him go. I mean, the FIRST openly GLBT politician - and HE'S the one who stripped trans* protections out of ENDA! Yeah, right, he wasn't "progressive" - he was only in it for himself. James-546195-1049965 is right, he'll now be getting a job at Fannie or Freddie, where he can still screw the American public, but this time not worry about elections.

FR; "Frank is one of only three openly gay members of congress".

Why the 'only' qualifier Luke?

Not enough openly gay members of congress for you?

What is the tip level for you to drop the the "only"?

While I agree it is an important part of his biography, he was a key player in the absolute criminal activity of Fannie and Freddie.

He will not be missed, but his work over the last 30 years will continue to be felt, to all of our peril, for decades.

@ California Tom.

Goodbye Mr. Frank and good luck in your retirement. You've always been a great supporter of the common folk and a wise and common sense Congressman. You will be missed.

Barney helped reduce regulation allowing everyone to go out and secure a home through a mortgage. Including getting rid of that pesky clause that made you prove that you actually had a job/income to pay for the dwelling.

And the banks didn't care if you could make the mortgage payments, so long as the house kept rising in value and they could throw you out.

Barney Frank, along with George Bush did more destructive damage to housing, and the middle class than any other people that I can recall.

Allowing a group of people to "qualify" for a home that they can't possibly qualify for is not helping the middle class, it is adding fuel to a run-away train.

When is Boehner leaving?

Good ..... Now how do we get rid of about 400 more of these do-nothing boneheads

The hypocrisy of the right wing on this thread is simply amazing. All to willing to pile on a democrat, but not smart enough to see that there are, shall we say, politicians with honesty issues on both sides of the isle. Barney is no more of a criminal than Gingrich or Boehner. The right wing likes to lay Fannie and Freddie at his feet, but looking back at actual FACTS, you will see Republicans with just as much skin in that game as Barney ever had. Until we see a few more of the good Republican masses sitting on an unemployment line they are never going to wise up and spend the time to actually research what went wrong and why. You have to remove the water cooler and the idiots at work before a Republican will actually research anything on their own. It's sad.

NO ONE made banks make bad loans except greedy bankers. Some of you seriously need to wake up to facts and turn off Fox. Congress cannot make banks loan money now, what makes you think that they could ten years ago. Banks make loans for one reason, to make money. They made plenty as the bet both sides of the coin.

Congress revised the guidelines making it easier to qualify unqualified people for mortgages.

Barney Franks was one of the people responsible. Bush was another. I really don't care what party they were from, they need to own the mess, and get thrown out.

To put this on the shoulder of the banks is inappropriate, as bad as the banks are. And I'm a person that detests banks, the pure definition of personal greed without regard for the customer. I can't vote a bank out. I can only stop banking there.

Taking one's anger out on the banks, while perhaps appropriate will do nothing. Taking your anger out on the politicians that reduced regulation to allow the banks to do what they did, completely appropriate. Regardless of party.

It's true. Frank needed to go. He seemed like a nice guy but he was mixed up in some ugly stuff with freddie and fannie. He avoided investigation and jail only because the top 1% and senators are above the law. Not to worry, though, for those who love him. He will have a lucrative career as a commentator and lobbyist.

HALLELUJAH!

It's amazing to see how many non-regular FR posters have decided to send Barney off with their sincere "best wishes". And how few of the regular FR lefty liberals are here to do the same.

LMAO!!!!

Hopie :

Actually, Cliff, he's a brilliant guy. If you're into correcting other contributors then you might want to correct your own. That should be you're, not your.

Please tell us how is he so brilliant?

It's funny that everyone on here is so happy, and yet those of us in his district will be happily electing another democrat that you will hate just as much to take his place. I used to be in Jim McGovern's district and he is amazing. It's not as though republicans have a chance of gaining Barney Frank's seat. So be happy for now I guess.

What has happened to common sense and recognition of reality? Are these the people that put the Incumbents back into office each and every time? Is 16 terms just a bit over the edge for holding the office? For the record, the act to lower the bar on home mortgages began in the days of LBJ, were re-visited in the Carter days, and the real abandon took place under the watchful eyes of Barney. It isn't Democrat or Republican, it's called IRRESPONSIBLE BEHAVIOUR.

What is Broken

I have continually asked the question, " What is Broken"? We continually hear need to inject massive quantities of dollars at everything that is feeling the symptoms of a slow economy. But we have ignored, "What Is Broken"??? It is impossible to fix a problem if you haven't identified the problem. That is the first step in repair of something that is broken, identify the problem. The answer is clear, those which are responsible for oversight, The House Finance Services Committee!

In the face of abandon of what is broken, we discover the most powerful man in America is not the President, it's the Chair Person of the House Finance Services Committee. He is responsible for oversight of the SEC, the Banking Industry, The Insurance Industry, The FDIC, The Federal Reserve, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and is imposing a new culture of pay rates, pay scales, while condemning past actions of Corporate America with demands of resignation? Remember Mr. Barney Frank telling Rick Wagner to resign for his poor performance at GM?

Can we rely on competent decision processes from Mr. Barney Frank as he decides who should stay at the helm in Corporate America? Is he capable of making such decisions above the shareholders and Tax Paying Voters of America? Does Mr. Frank make these decisions with the agenda being America's Best Interest or like Mr. Arlan Spector has done to insure a better success in the next election? What business experience does Mr. Frank have in Corporate America? Rick Wagner may have cost GM shareholders and U.S. Taxpayers about $30-40 Billion. Mr. Barney Frank in his failed oversight has cost America about $4 Trillion. Do the Math, resign or jail?

Now that we have identified what is broken, we now know how to fix it. Start with a body of competent oversight. We need proven hands on experience. Our Congress and Senate do not have a clue about running a business. We need to put into place a body immune to the vagaries and whims of politics. We need a proven leader with proven experience to manage the most powerful Financial Institutions of the world. We need to look at the needs of America, not the individual needs of the Renters and Tenants that couldn't afford the "No Doc. Loans" that were encouraged by the professed willingness to forgive oversight in favor of putting poor people into homes and debt they couldn't manage.

Recognize the percent of Congress and Senate that are Incumbent. Look at all of the pretended Oversight Committees and all of the powerful grandstanding via these esteemed members. Where are we and Why? It's the Congress and Senate that rule under Queen Barney. I'd say it's time for CHANGE!

@ Kristina,

Isn't that what was said about Scott Brown? And that was a Kennedy seat....

After many years of corruption , receiving money from Wall Street and open the door to their lobbyist to craft the "Financial Reform" . Barney Frank one of the most crooked politicians is going home to smoke some weed wellcultivated by his boyfriend. Who is next, Maxim Waters , another corrupt Democrat who has a case in the Ethic Committee for give bailout money to her husband bank. Do democrats have no more decent people?

He'll keep his pension. He'll keep his freedom. And he'll keep his low interest rate loan from the very banks who he helped. Amazing, the Gingrich's and Frank's of this world keep pillaging and the brainwashed keep saying how great these crooks are. And Maxine Waters, I remember being in a meeting with a Mortgage company and they were openly bragging about this woman changing rules for Mortgage companies who lobby the most. She'll be the next "hero" that the brainwashed masses will defend.

Great, next we get Waters. From Dumpy to Dopey. Fantastic.

The FR liberals will all shed a tear over Barney's departure. The high esteem they hold for such a man...woman...er whatever is rediculous. Barney was a train wreck and should never have held any seat of responsibility.

Don't you liberals get it? When you place incompetent people like Frank in positions of power all you get is destruction! Not only did Frank have his hand in the fall of Fannie and Freddie, he is one of the largest contributors to the unemployment crisis. New home construction dropped off to almost zero when the bubble collapsed.

To those progressives that hearld this excuse for a congressman... wake the F up. Explore the damage he has done to our economy and to our nation.

So Bawney Fwank is hanging it up. Guess it wasn't fun any more with the Republicans back in control and Anthony Weiner gone. Back home to the boyfiend's basement butt busting business.

Yes Feasty, he is indeed a true Progressive icon. He'll be right at home with the rest of the regular misfits on MS NBC.

@cdahl

You are sooooo very mis-informed. It was Bill Clinton, while in his 2nd. term, who not only signed the legislation FORCING FDIC'd banks to make risky loans, but one of the brain child's as well. Barney Frank, Thomas Reins and Bill Clinton are responsible for the collapse of the housing market.

It is so pathetic to see so many die-hard, locked-in-the-box mentality Liberals still blaming Bush for the Housing Collapse. Wake-up and smell the shyt you and the media are dishing out.

In April of 2001, less than 3 mos. after officially taking office, G.W. Bush's advised 535 members on the Hill of the impending disaster in the Housing bubble and the ensuing/resulting Financial Collapse of the Mortgage giants. Get your facts straight die-hard liberals, THE BLAME GAME DOESN'T WORK, NOR DOES SOCIALISM.

Read on if you got the guts to educate yourself, and are tired of blaming Wall Street for what you're professional politician's, ala Barney Frank, Pelosi, Obama, Reid, etc. etc. etc. are doing to this country, you, and your children and future children.

Duphas,

C'mon man, don't you know it was then Gov W's fault for not stopping Slick Willie and the Frankfurter from forcing banks to make those idiotic loans.

If he wasn't such a dumbarse cowboy he wouldn't have had to wait till he was POTUS to blow the horn on the whole fiasco.

Makes you wonder how he ever earned a higher GPA at Haa-vaad then super smart Algore.

lol

Duphas, you are completely wrong. First of all, the bill that Clinton signed, was written by Phil Gramm and was veto proof, because of the large Republican majority in the House and Senate. The bill removed the protections of Glass-Steagall, which had been in place since the "great depression" and was the key cause of the banking failures.

If Bush was so concerned about the housing situation, why didn't he do something about the problem? He had full control of our government, with a huge majority in both House and Senate. Barney Frank had no power until 2008, when the Democrats had control of the House.

Perhaps it is you, who should get your facts straight. It was the Bush economic team that had full control and let the country go down the drain. How do you like that war in Iraq? It will cost over 3.5 trillion dollars, all on a credit card. It is part of our huge debt, which Obama inherited from Bush and Cheney. I bet you are still looking for those WMD with your Republican neocon friends, Paul Wolfowitz and Douglas Feith.

You cannot point to one piece of legislation written by Democrats, which had any effect on the banking failures. Fanny and Freddy belonged to both parties. The Republican spin meisters, worked hard to try to pin it all on Frank, but it is all propaganda.

After reading this whole thread, I do not want to hear another far right-winger complain about a dem talking about being "haters". You all have that term wrapped up. You all want term limits, run someone who can win! Your tea party screwed you big time!

That being said, I hope Mr. Franks has a great retirement. After 36 years or so in congress, he deserves it.

Duphas

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/21/business/worldbusiness/21iht-admin.4.18853088.html?pagewanted=all

Bush has equal responsibility. I remember watching him during a nationally televised speech pushing for more housing for more Americans. Both the Democrats and Republicans needs to shoulder the blame for reducing regulation, making it easier for underqualified people to gain access to mortgages.

I'm not willing to give anyone a pass. Including Clinton as you point out. Not Franks, not anyone. Including Bush.

And for what purpose? Simply to get reelected. Not for the better of the people that are not living in those homes that they cannot afford (even at historical low interest rates), but to simply get reelected.

Not good enough for me. I believe that politicians have an obligation to our society, not themselves. Not to get reelected through talking points, posturing and misrepresentation. But to society.

Do you seriously propose that Barney Frank passed banking laws on his own, Congress voted on those laws, and they won a majority of votes from both parties. To try and blame a single man is either foolish, or dishonest, or both.

Forrest,

True, but either way Frank still needs to own the blame. The article is about him, not the rest of the people.

However, I agree. The Republicans, Democrats, and Barney Frank sold out the middle class for their own personal gain.

@cdahl I just get the impression from many of the posts on this thread that they feel Frank single handedly passed legislation, and should alone take the blame for what was the result of many factors, and the actions of many people. It's just not that simple and the problems will not resolve themselves just because he is gone.

@ Forrest

So very true. One thing that I would love to see is people sticking to values and ideals, and then apply that to a party or specific candidate. Unfortunately, many here have never heard of Barney Franks or have any knowledge of what he did/didn't do while in office,.... yet jumped on the band wagon and hammered him because he was a Democrat.

I didn't like him. But I didn't like him because of where he stood, his politics and policies. And I can say the same about Bush. I can say the same about Boehnert. And Cantor. And Pelosi.

I have nothing but praise for Klobechar and am split on McCain and Klein.

I can say that it is much more eye opening if you apply ones values and beliefs specifically to a single candidate/politician, regardless of party, and then take it to the next level and respect the next person's rights and views that are opposite.

I simply want to see people understand and debate on a position, not as a part of a mindless wandering group.

You have the right idea cdahl, honesty and fairness is the way to discuss things and solve problems, it is easier said than done, but that is the way to go.

Ralph, per #1.53,

You are wrong about Bush. He many times warned of the impending problem and attempted to fix it. But the Republicans did not have a super majority in the Senate. Thus every reform passed by the House was fillibustered by Chris 'Countryside' Dodd, who wanted to make sure that the banks didn't 'discriminate' against those people who had absolutely no business getting mortgage loans. Ergo, another crisis born of the 'compassion' of Democ Rats.

Why forrest, (post 1.59) when did you see the light? Does this mean you will use the same logic on libs who want to blame everything on the republicans? I know I pizzed a lot of libs off when I asked them where the democrats were in past policy decisions.

Joe that is countrywide not countryside you need to go watch more Fox News......And Bush didn't graduate from harvard either he was a Skull and Bones cult member from Yale......You really don't know what you are talking about and like I said you need to go back to Fox learn the talking points better or just read and repeat what the other GOP shills on here say..HAAaaa

swp,

Wide/side, Harvard/Yale. Who gives a rat shiite. Those just go to show it's not parroting FOX.

The facts are correct.

Bush tried to stop the impending mess.

Dodd twarted every lawful attempt.

So called 'dumb' Bush was a better student than so called 'smart' Gore.

It's a fact E-T-G's-T-is-S'd- U ! Think they passed a motion that they weren't legally responsible for it.

Considering where he's from, I can understand why everything he touches gets screwed up.

Barney Frank is a hero to so many. He's been vilified unfairly by the right because of how effective he is.

Funny that the right hates Frank from supporting Fannie and Freddie but never mentions that Bush supported and signed the Fannie and Freddie bill as part of his "ownership society."

Frank was both an idiot and corrupt! He made millions from the mortgage crisis... MILLIONS!

I pray that efforts to indict him over his role in that doesn't go away because he's running away!!!

Best news I've heard all day!

Yes there is a Santa Clause.........and he brought a gift for the whole country.

Barney Frank made millions?? I think you've gone off the deep end.

He's not going to run because he can live nicely off the government pension plan he will collect for life off the backs of the taxpayers. We really need to end all these government pension plans.

He may not be running again, but he will be living it up off your tax dollars.

We need Government Reform and to end all these government pensions plans and kickbacks they all get while in or out of office.

Why run for a position if you can live without even doing the job nowadays.

END all government pension plans.

RON PAUL 2012

When is McConnell, Boehner, and Cantor leaving?

Forest, the Final responsibility for those bad loans are the people who signed the notes. Anyone who makes 40K/yr and signs a loan for a 400K home deserves what he gets. NO ONE forced them to sign those loans. YESS, the banks were wrong but so was the person taking out the loan. You can't hold one responsible without holding ALL responsible.

It's too bad he was able to cause so much damage to our country before he decided to slither out. What a piece of work this guy is...

At least he sees the writing on the wall and is quitting before being ousted...or arrested.

Forest: Did he not, at minimum, seek advise from he parent(s) prior to signing for a loan?!? And, yes, Janine is right! There are even free tools on the internet if you don't understand financial things that will tell you how much of a house you can buy based on your earnings and expenditures. I was 22 with a child a long time ago and I knew enough to realize I couldn't afford a $150,000+ mortgage and I'm not college educated!

@ Bart. (2.5)

For the record. I blame both. And then a few more.

Bawney Franks worst crime ever?

Collapsing the economy by having Bush peddle his "homeownership for everyone plan" that was meant to get our economy moving after 9/11 tanked our economy (or was it the 1% who seem to cash out every time there's a good crisis to take advantage of?)...and spur the economy it did! for a whopping 3-4 years...and like all good bubbles, it went BURST.

Remember everyone, repeat after me:

it was irresponsible home buyers who crashed the economy

not the banks that leant them money, not the banks that then bundled those crap mortgages and peddled them as fraudulent TRIPLE A rated bundles, and ripped 1/2 the world off when it became clear to the world that these default swaps (bets on bets on bets) were doomed to fail when the banks had borrowed and bet, more money than they actually had on hand.

remember, it's those homeowners who defaulted (never mind thats what PMI insurance is for...or that the banks took that PMI and gambled it away on bets on bets on bets)...

repeat after me - it was evil Bawney Frank and all the greedy homebuyers...

pay no attention to the men behind the screen trying to convince you that grass is magenta, not green.

Rep. Frank was Effective at what, Mr. Connor?

Losing jobs? Clamming up Banks? Maxing out the debt? Killing off construction loans? Increasing the divide? Enabling the haters? Being a Hater himself?

I willing to bet Rep. Frank roots for Mr. Potter in "It's a Wonderful Life"

I cannot stand the GOP, but this crook should be put in the same cell as Madoff and both should be fed to the bubbas.

Forest, sounds like we may have a similar background. I was doing due diligence for an investment firm securitizing lonas back in the 90's. We visited one bank that was doing mortgages primarily to poor blacks, charging 12-14% interest, 10-12 points financed in, lending 25-30% on refinances. it was obviously a scam to get the house thru foreclosure. We recommended not buying these loans, obviously. Another lender had A-D- loans. The D- tended to be max 30%, no credit or bad credit, maybe a foreclosure and a few chargeoffs on the record. Agian, a chance to get the house back and sell it for a profit. The government didn't tell them to do this but they saw it as fair profit and it was only fair if you did not have a consience.

BenSnead...

You are absolutely correct about FR...first post on most every vine she decides to spew her leftist drivel onto. I've seen many posters suspended for a day/week, and even banned for posting some of the venom she does. Rarely constructive...usually destructive posts. She must be a miserable human being for hating as she does...

Anyway, I hit IGNORE on her a few days ago...

And when do you think they will arrest Bush and Chaney? lol!!

Janine (#2.18) True, but too often the buyer/borrower was a pawn in the game. As a realtor in Phoenix from 2003-2010, I advised a lot of clients NOT to buy a home under similar terms, but they were being advised by their lenders that the risk was minimal because the way prices were appreciating, they could refinance before the balloon payments were due, or the interest rate adjusted in 3-5 years. Many ignored my advice, and purchased homes they could not afford by "taking advantage" of those loan programs. Even so, I felt some degree of responsibility when they faced foreclosure when the rates adjusted and they could not afford the payments, even though I was no part of the "conspiracy" that Forrest Grump seems to allude to..

Point taken Janine, they signed, lots of naive people signed, an incredible amount of people signed, and even more put their homes on the line, for a home equity credit line that was greater than the home was worth. They were encouraged by the banks every step of the way. Bankers used to be honest about what you could afford and what you could not, there was a day when they would not lend you a dime more than an amount the would create a monthly payment of 25% of your income, and you had to have a down payment, and pay closing costs. The banker had the responsibility not to lend share holders money on a bad loan, even if the person requesting the loan was willing to sign a bad loan for more than they can afford. That was exactly their main responsibility as loan givers. They encouraged these people to sign, they made more profit in fees, and charged higher interest on loans to people they knew could least afford it. So you are right in the end these people trusted the banker when he told them what they wanted to hear "we can get you in that house" they signed, the bankers got bailed out, they got their money back via the taxpayers, and the people that signed are the only ones being held responsible. BTW I am happy to say my 22 year old was not one of them, but unfortunately a lot of young people trusted the banking industry, thinking that if the bank is willing to lend me the money it must be okay, they never realized they were being preyed upon by bankers who were dishonest about what they could afford. The thinking always used to be that bankers were honest men that could be trusted with your money, selling trust was their main asset and quality, lots of young naive people trying to start a family had to learn otherwise, they learned the hard way.

1 down, many more to go.

fed to the bubbas

T. R., just so you know, I'm going to steal that line.

Good for you HadEnough for being honest with your clients, I don't propose it as a contrived conspiracy from coast to coast, I merely propose to describe what in fact took place. Many Realtors and mortgage lenders were offering advice exactly as you described, and probably were not as smart or as honest as you and may have actually believed what they were saying. In the end the banks signed impossible loans on inflated appraisals, and in many cases the realitor and the lender was virtually a one stop shop. The more risk they felt the loan had the higher the fees and interest charged, they intended to profit off of naive people. Your clients were lucky to have someone tell them the truth of the situation, too many were not so lucky.

GOOD !!!

Now for the rest of the "CAREER POLITICANS", and Mr. Obama should be NEXT in line.

Janine-1645002. post 2.18

I respectfully disagree with your post. Bankers and loan officers are professionals that have been entrusted by our society with a fiduciary responsibility. Part of that responsibility is not to steal funds, another part, just as importantly, is not to take advantage of lay people.

Imagine what our country would be like if the average person couldn't trust the farmer, his doctor, the airline pilot, the car manufacturer, etc.

Generally the doctrine of caveat emptor (let the buyer beware) only applies to real property after the closing.

I opine that most Americans value the characteristics of individual inititave and determination. However placing the blame for this fiasco on the poor and middle class victims is neither reasonable or logical.

@ Forrest Grump.

I actually had a bank pull me off to the side one day and ask if I would consider an interest only mortgage. I replied that I was happy with my 5-1/4% (6 years ago) 30 year fixed and was on year 21 or so, finally paying down the principle.

He looked at me and said in a very belittling voice, "What, you wouldn't like a few hundred dollars per month more of spending money?" I replied back, "No, I'd rather keep my house by paying down principle and not be open to risk when inflation rises due to Gov't overspending" (and that was in the Bush years).

I couldn't believe that a banker would try to talk someone out of a safe position towards one of significant risk. I assume so that the banker could make a couple hundred bucks in commission. I also assume that this scenario played over and over again to people that wanted what they couldn't afford.

@ Billo, Not That One, I have never been in the banking or real estate industries, I have been in a trade union almost my entire working life, and I have a small business based on my patents, and consulting in my area of technical expertise. I am just describing what I saw based on common experience.

"The ranking member of the House Financial Services Committee, Frank helped author the financial regulatory reform bill that passed through Congress in 2010, when Frank served as the panel's chairman."

Frank was also chairman of the House Financial Services Committee when the Democrats took over control of Congress after the 2006 elections, and was responsible for financial oversight of Wall Street for the two years before the financial collapse, and was credited with helping the 'less advantaged' get mortgage loans, which in turn led to the collapse of the housing market and precipitated the financial crisis and the 'Great Recession'.

Great job, Barney.

Are u idiots seriously stating that a lawmaker be put in prison for his part in writing a law??? whether you agree with it or not it was proposed voted on and passed by congress and signed into law by a president.... it's a process written by our constitution.... how ignorant are you that you want to jail representatives for this... you should jail corrupt speakers who steal, embezzle and illegally profit from their position of power (newt). And cut pension plans??? thats your answer?? the avergae pension pays 30k a year, y don't you worry about the 300mil a year CEO's and money managers that kill the money these pension plans are invested in for some shert term bonuses.... 300 mil a year pays 10,000 of these pension plans... 1 salary for doing nothing 10,000 pensions for 10,000 car, steel, shipbuilding workers etc for working hard and contributing to rise of our nation. Don't buy into the hype.. we have a revenue problem not a spending problem. We only have a spending problem if you dont want this government to fix your highways, and defend the entire free world... we like our infrastructure and the relative peace the world is left in because of us... so lets pay our fair shar of taxes and deal with our collective problems.

@ Goopiektt It's Grump not Gump, and no banker was ever forced to write bad loans, they were forced not to discriminate against people who could afford loans loans but were effectively being barred from buying homes in certain areas or neighborhoods. You can pretend banks were forced to write bad loans or that Barney Frank is responsible for bankers dishonesty with their customers about what they could afford, or he is responsible for people being naive, but it is simply not true. Barney Frank did not sign a single loan, and he did not force people to borrow more than they could afford. BTW Barney Frank does not pass a law single handedly Congress passed this law, it won a majority of votes from both parties, to try and blame a single person is quite foolish, or dishonest, or both.

Wow Geo.

did you realize that every year our government actually spends more than the year before. And did you realize that if you taxed each Billionaire 100% of their income, it would not balance that year's budget, and still result in a deficit?

Reason? Because we have a spending problem.

http://www.politifact.com/wisconsin/statements/2011/oct/20/paul-ryan/ryan-says-100-percent-tax-millionaires-would-only-/

"If you took all the income from every millionaire in America today, it would run the government for about four months." By choosing 2008, Ryan was using outdated numbers … but also more conservative ones. His point would have been stronger with the new numbers, showing government could be run for an even shorter period.

http://www.heritage.org/budgetchartbook/federal-government-revenues

The federal government is spending more per household than ever before. Since 1965, spending per household has grown by nearly 162 percent, from $11,431 in 1965 to $29,401 in 2010. From 2010 to 2021, it is projected to rise to $35,773, a 22 percent increase.

Overall tax revenues have risen despite a recent decline due to the recession. Congress cut income taxes and the death tax in 2001 and capital gains taxes and dividends in 2003, yet revenues continued to surge even after the tax cuts were passed.

Download

Massachusetts lost 1 Congressional District from the 2010 Census....Guess which District they picked to carve up ???....Even the Massachusetts Democratic Machine knows Bawney was a liability....When some kid comes out of nowhere in 2010 and Fwanks only gets 54% of the vote.....when he never had to defend his seat before.....you know he was skating on thin ice.....

The 1st. Member of Congress that used his Cadillac Congressional Dental Plan to have all his front teeth removed....He's a side chewer you know .....

Whether or not you like Frank, I think everyone can admit that there are real problems that arise when you have a politician in a seat for over three deacdes. Especially given the inherent problems built into our current election system (such as the constant need to be on the campaign trail and the need to generate an everly increasing amount of campaign contributions from large organizations to fund those efforts). That is why we need a real change in the underlying system in order to get our Congress back on the right path. I urge everyone to check out the amendments proposed by the American Overhaul Act (www.americanoverhaulact.org). And, if you agree with the positions, please share it with your frineds, family, and elected representatives, or show your support by leaving a comment.

The politicians that need to go are Bonehead, Mitch the bitch, Cantor and Newt just plain needs to disappear. Talk about living off the taxpayers while throwing us to the wolves.

Arieus::: He'll live off a government pension? What do you think Social Security is? Isn't that taxpayers dollars? I have a feeling you don't approve of him. Well, some people do-- after all, he has been relected time and time again.

Maybe when it is time for you do draw Social Security you shouldn't take it-- after all, it is a government pension.

Absolutely, Dave-3349797, there was not a thing that was on the up and up with this charlatan. He probably realizes that his BS term is finally over.

Good ridden, jack-ass. No loss with you gone.

cdahl,

We have a spending problem now almost solely because of the idiotic fiscal policies of the Reagan and Bush years. Doubling and redoubling the size of governments tripling and then redoubling the debt caused the current problems and there is no simple solution. We need to return taxes to the Clinton rates for all brackets while reducing spending especially on the militasry where expenditures have risen over 30% since 2001. The perfect example of voodoo economics are the Reagan and Bush II administrations. In twelve Reagan/Bush years the debt rose by 2.4 trillion dollars without the economy growing at the rate of the revious 12 or following 8 years. Claiming an economic miracle when your revenues fall 2.4 trillion short of your expense takes a lot of balls. I would hope to kiss a cows ass that if you double the size of government and triple the debt it took 200 yrs to accumulate you would manage to scare up a few bucks in revenue. The bizzare economic policies followed bt three GOP administrations has dug an almost insurmountable economic hill to climb.

jkh

@cdahl...

PLease dont throw numbers you don't understand and are just repeating from the right wing mouthpiece.. i said right wing because conservatives in the tradtional sense are not today's right wing.... GDP now is 14.5 trillion, 2001 GDP 9 trillion, so all things being equal govt revenue needs to grow by that much... except not all things are not equal went on a 2 front war, unprecedented since WW 2, AND did not fund it AND gave tax cuts... the bush tax by themselves if repealed would've pretty much closed the 5 trillion defecit of mr bush and allowed mr obama to enact sane fiscal policy and deficit spending to deal with the current crisis. yes we have a monetary policy that dictates we deficit spend in recessions and surplus collect in boom years... except we went on 2 wars, diodnt bother getting the oil or the wmd's and REDUCED taxes in the process, instead opting to pay for them later... well the bill is due.. dont blame OBAMA, blame the conservatives that didn't act so conservatively.

about time - who has the pictures?

If there were a contest for "poster boy of term limits", it would have been a tossup between Bawney Fwank and Charlie Rangel.

Maybe now, Bawney can spend more time with his "significant other" ... we sure don't need him as a special appointee of anything by Barack Obama.

@ Jim Haynes and Geo.

Nowhere can you find where I support the Republican's and their fiscal irresponsibility. I'm simply pointing out that Geo's statement,

Don't buy into the hype.. we have a revenue problem not a spending problem

to me falls short on reality. To the vast majority of the people, we have a spending problem. Both locally and nationally.

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/poll-reveals-government-spending-is-personal-to-voters-103852563.html

http://www.thenewamerican.com/economy/economics-mainmenu-44/9708-poll-young-americans-favor-less-government-spending

http://www.examiner.com/political-spin-in-national/poll-americans-want-to-cut-government-spending-but-don-t-want-to-give-up-their-government-checks

And Geo, try to settle down before typing. You may find it easier to spell. And cite sources to back your argument. Without cites, it is simply a rant.

geo917 - The estimate of the repealing Bush tax cuts would have increased revenue, conservatively $80 billion/year. The other spectrum suggests around $115 billion/year. At the generous $115/yr adjustment, the increase wouldn't have covered Obama's $129 billion budget deficit for this year alone. Please explain how it would have covered the non-budget items that have increased our national debt by $1.3 trillion? I'm sorry but it appears the Bush tax cuts might have reduced the debt by $800 billion to $1 trillion dollars. Keep in mind that the "two wars" just reached the $1 trillion mark last year for expenditures. That accounts for $2 trillion. During the Clinton era, the national debt rose by nearly $2 trillion, Bush was $6 trillion and Obama in his first 3 years stands at $4-1/2 trillion. Maybe it's not a tax problem, as so many suggest on this site, and more of a spending problem?

Agreed! He should be in jail.

bu bye barneys frank.

I too thought a scandal must be approching.....

He's going to be 72 in March, Massachusetts is undergoing redistricting losing a congressman. He pulling out (no pun intended) appears to be a strategic move to give the remaining delegation a better chance at the remaining districts. PS - right-wing efforts to saddle him with the economic meltdown of 2008 is total BS. Barney, I hope you never shut up.

I guess Bush should be in jail too. He signed the Fannie and Freddie bill and supported it whole heartedly...

Wje, if ya can't see that the push over the hill to the economy was Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac corruption combined with 4 dollar gas, then what was it?

Franks/Dobbs, Botox, Bonner and the rest of the thievin crooks need to be given the Martha Steward Treatment and have their assets seized and sent to AR to work for Sheriff Joe on da Chain Gangs. Both parties. How congress can increase their net worth by 25% in two years in this economy GOTTA be CRIMINAL! Both parties need investigated including SOROS who doubled his wealth under this administration, part of it under Franks guidance.

Bart,

No quite true. Bush questioned the solvency of FM & FM several times and was always told by Frank not to worry

If you own a home it's now worth less thanks to Dodd Frank..

Bart, I dislike Bush probably more than you do, but Dano is correct. Check out how much the quasi Public/Private board members made . MILLIONS! As they bankrupted America.

Bush I, II, Clinton and President Obama, were ALL Agency developed by the Trans National BANKSTERS to establish their global New World Order. The American middle class stood in the way, not for long though. LOL!

As usual, the Leftists try to distort the truth:

http://www.reuters.com/article/2008/07/30/us-fannie-freddie-bush-idUSN3042756820080730

"Bush signed the legislation into law because it included numerous key housing reforms, including a stronger regulator of the two mortgage giants. The White House had originally opposed a provision that offers $4 billion in grants to states to buy and repair foreclosed homes."

"The Bush administration for years advocated a smaller role for the companies, asserting that their management of trillions in assets placed too much risk on the U.S. financial system."

Bush was simply trying, in vain, to prevent the inevitable collapse of the housing bubble created by the DEMOCRATS.

That's funny, because I would like to see CEO's from banks go to jail over derivatives trading.......

Eric, why can't we see the derivitaive traders and Franks, Dobbs, Botox, Boner and da rest ALL go to jail. ALL the crooks and seize their assets. I sure hope Chelsea wasn't an unethical derivative trader also. I'm sure her mommy didn't sit on the board of directors of Wall Mart from 1986 to 1992 when Wall Mart transferred most of their buyin from the US to Red China. Love that Loral deal also.

We da People do not have a TEAM that is playin for US!

THEY ARE ALL DIRTY, BOTH SIDES of da COIN!

Bart Conner "I guess Bush should be in jail too. He signed the Fannie and Freddie bill and supported it whole heartedly..."

Do you mean the bill that was signed by Bill Clinton? Bush didn't sign any 'Fannie and Freddie bill'.

What a break for the country! Barney Frank is retiring in order to beat an investigation and will be replaced by Maxine Waters who is being looked at for a bank bailout she engineered for her husbands bank.

I can sleep better at night now that I know my government is looking out for my best interest.

My advice: Don't wait on the dock because the Titanic will be a little bit late.

Bart Conner

I guess Bush should be in jail too. He signed the Fannie and Freddie bill and supported it whole heartedly...

Hey Bart... where have you been? Just in case this is your first time visiting FR... The lib's here make that statement EVERY day.

They want Bush (and Cheney) put in jail for everything from the Iraq War, to Fannie/Freddie, to out of control diaper rash.

Doesn't matter WHAT the issue is... in the eyes of the libbies its cause for putting Bush/Cheney in jail.

It's kind of fun to watch it turn around for a change. LOL!

(show me the clown nose, fisty!)

The Housing Bubble explodes like a MOAB, taking the rest of the economy with it.....and both Dodd and Frank choose to "Retire"...Let's make sure we give them back The Dodd-Frank Financial Reform when they leave.

...Bart rymes with FART

roscoe-841582 "...Bart rymes with FART"

When I was younger and into race cars, FART stood for Foreign Auto Racing Team.

If he's a complete idiot, what does that make you? He's a congressman. You're an unemployed hack sitting in a dark room without a job.

Wow Bart you must be a psychic............no just probably a psycho. For all you know Cliff could be a bilionaire who donates half his money to charities and is working on the cure for aids.

Bart, That makes Cliff right and you wrong.........maybe you don't want to bring up the unemployment...not a good number for the liberals to be pointing out...Barney Frank was the single most responsible person for the collapse of housing...fact is fact. One crook down..many more to go.

He was re-elected by doing the work he has in the House that his constituents elected him to do. It's how the government works. The course is called "civics". Give it a try.

vwterry, sounds like you must be a little upset by the good news. This course is also called "civics". Give it a try. It is also how the government works.

Many New England states voters largely follow the democratic party with blindness. Case in point, the most liberal Republican of them all? Romney.

Look at Franks great work--he's a hero to many deservedly. Just because the right targets him to shift blame from the banks, doesn't make any of their charges true.

yes Bart....and the left doesn't blame anyone do they.....is that why oblamea everyone is in the white house?

recycled,

I merely pointed out to gmamadog how Mr. Frank was re-elected. Your comment was neither a clarification of the concept of civics or how government works. You may want to try breathing through your nose sometimes. And try to keep from scuffing your knuckles.

Come on man you know ol' Barneys just loves Freddies fanny right. This person is a disgrace

Good one Bill, LOL

He'll probably get a cushy job at Fannie or Freddie.

Like Newt did? lol

Yep...I can here him now 'advising' Freddie:

"Remember when I told you to make loans to people who couldn't afford it? Well don't do that anymore. Now pay me like you did Newt!"

lol...indeed!

Wonder how well Mr. Obama is doing, courtesy of Wall Street? He'll probably set the record by the time he is out of office, and beyond - leaving Mr. Frank's take in the dust.

I doubt Barnie would consult with Freddie, he's pretty much a Fannie guy.

Seems to me like he'd be more interested in Fannie.

"Feisty - anyone who supports Barney Frank was either on line with their hand out waiting for all the taxpayer-funded goodies he was always handing out to his constituents - or they are just plain stupid."

Wow, so that's how you characterize the majority of voters in his districts for the past 16 terms? Just wow.

damnit, you beat me to it

Wall Street must have gotten wind of this announcement and that is the reason it is so high this morning.

I'm guessing that the reason Wall Street is opening so well is the encouraging economic news from the weekend that people are ready to kill each other to buy stuff.

Kevlar and Pepper Spray futures are rising!

Bentbrass,

Probably likes Freddie's Fannie.....LOL Good riddance Barney. Your sir are exactly what's wrong with Washington....Now go screw up FM & FM for the second time...

Without Frank to blame undeservedly, who is Wall Street going to blame now for their failings?

Actually Noid, they are willing to kill each other to save a few bucks.

That is the new "normal" in Obamaville.

Better be careful with what you say about Feisty......She will Ummmmm errrrr ahhhhhh get real mad and look you up in Linked In. Then you will well ummm errr ahhhhhh Have to move to another country change your name to rocket J Squirrel and befriend a Moose that talks.

Just go on YouTube and hit Barney Frank "housing bubble" and look at his perpetual ignorance concerning the on-coming housing crash. Tons of video as he proclaimed "no problem", reminds me of the movie "Animal House" as Kevin Bacon was yelling during the parade "it's all right, stay calm". Yeah sure Barney, you were soooo right, you ignorant buffoon. This guy didn't have a clue that the world as we knew it was imploding. He was "in charge", but he belongs "in jail".

Term limits, we need them now!

Bart wants to know: Without Frank to blame undeservedly, who is Wall Street going to blame now for their failings?

Well, it would be the Republicans in the minds of progressives, of course, - as it always has been and always will be according to their liberal mindset!

jollyoldsoul1

Better be careful with what you say about Feisty......She will Ummmmm errrrr ahhhhhh get real mad and look you up in Linked In. Then you will well ummm errr ahhhhhh Have to move to another country change your name to rocket J Squirrel and befriend a Moose that talks.

You connected the dots with this post jolly. She can dish it out but can't take it. If you get on her 'love list', your information will be provided to her by her moderator friends, and she will do whatever it takes to have you removed from this site. Censorship at the liberal best.

But does anyone know if she is a paid shill for MSDNC, or just someone with too much time on her hands? Personally I hope she never goes away for she does make my morning laugh over coffee rather enjoyable.

Keep up the troll work honey, for you're a hoot!

Of what people??? The 1%?

ditto

Dear Lord, another Frank lover. Gag. You and Fiesty should get together. Maybe you and feisty are the same person. Hmmm.

Right... missed about as much as a burst appendix.

Actually 6079, you feel sooooo much better after a ruptured appendix - BUT- it sure will make you sick after the fact, it will be deadly without treatment, so I think we are about to get the treatment for the ruptured appendix and start healing!

He's a hero to the working class. Of course, that's why repubs hate him...

Bart Conner, he took the one thing that the "middle class" had, which was our homes, and put them into a garbage disposal and turned it on. Sell stupid somewhere else, were full up on here already.

Hero ! LOL

Bart Conner....You must have meant " He's a Hero to the NON-working class"

All the handouts and houses they couldn't afford to pay for....The No-Doc Mortgage.

Hey JRAE, how come Frank and Dodd got a low interest loan, from the very people he helped out, and you can't get that low of an interest loan? Why is Frank better than you and I? I've got excellent credit, how come I can't get that same loan as our Corrupt Politicians. Are you a corrupt politician? Maybe that's why you can't get that same interest rate.

How can anyone think this guy was worth a sh+— Really think about it.

House of gay prostitution

Dodd-Frank

Fannie may

Please tell me one good thing he is responsible for?

One good thing, his prostitution ring kept a few of the male whores off capital hill.

Isn't she still supposed to answer to corruption charges?

Agree! Now, how do we get rid of Nancy??

and Boehner, I cry at the drop of a hat because I"m an alcoholic, should be next.

Uh Bilbo,

I believe that's Maxine Waters? I can only hope she's in deep do do...Another one that needs to be relieved of her duties.

Yep dano, Maxine Waters did help her husband's financial institution receive inside help to keep his business afloat. Now this corrupt person is next in line to run this committee?

And we wonder why Congress is an inept as it is.

Feisty Redhead Roselle: You commented, "Your strong & candid voice will be missed by progressives, Barney! I always admired how he didn't take any crap from the conservatives..." Roselle, your first sentence is self-evidently true, and the second is also true with positive editorial overtones. Personally, I couldn't stand the guy or anything he stood for...that's my editorial. What bothers me is why your fairly mild and inoffensive comments should have been "collapsed by the community". Anyone who put in to collapse your comments did so for all the wrong reasons and should be ashamed of themselves.

Besides, you people who do this, you should know that "collapsed" comments are the ones people really tend to zero in on, and tend to get the most viewings.

She is a democrap the media will do nothing as usual

More likely at Fannie Mae. Mr. Dodd will get Freddie Mac.

I would think Bush would have gotten that mythical job--he supported Fannie and Freedie wholeheartedly. Oh, how the Repubs forget their own history.

I would think Bush would have gotten that mythical job--he supported Fannie and Freedie wholeheartedly.

Are you talking about this Bart:

The Administration has long called for legislation to create a stronger, more effective regulatory regime to improve oversight of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Federal Home Loan Banks ("housing government-sponsored enterprises" or "housing GSEs") and appreciates the considerable efforts of Chairman Oxley and Chairman Baker in crafting H.R. 1461. However, H.R. 1461 fails to include key elements that are essential to protect the safety and soundness of the housing finance system and the broader financial system at large. As a result, the Administration opposes the bill.

http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/omb/legislative/sap/109-1/hr1461sap-h.pdf

The $20M was the golden parachute for Franklin Raines when leaving his job for being so inept. Franklin is currently an Obama advisor.

Nice try Bart.......

Totally understandable viewpoint of a homophile.

Looks like the homophobics are out in full force this morning

Nothing better on a Monday morning, than watching compassionate Christians on parade... lmao!

Sorry, but the dislike for him has nothing to do with his sexuality... it has everything to do with his part in destroying our country!

Figures when liberals can't provide facts, they throw out the gay or race card... it's sad what they've become, JFK would cry.

Troll! What a dumb comment! Where do you find any references to his sexual orientation other than your own post?

it's funny now the liberals and progressive socialist have no problem

admitting who they are like before KING OBOMBO was elected!!!

So, much like anyone who criticizes BamBam is a racist, anyone who criticizes Barney Frank is a homophobe. Nice to see the tin-foil hat brigade out in full force this morning.

I haven't seen one post commenting on his homosexuality except yours. Of course we all understand the progressive/liberal viewpoint that any criticism of Frank is because of homophobia and Obama because of racism. What pitiful little minds you guys have.

Good Lord another goof. Mo you just don't get it. He is a crook and a nut job like you and the rest of your liberal crew.

o'really,

I haven't seen one post commenting on his homosexuality except yours.

Maybe you need to go back to school and learn how to read. Or maybe what a couple of people up in the 6's posted was too subtle for you.

I don't know if your mind is "pitiful" (though I'm guessing it is), but it sure is "little".

It's so easy to put blame on one person as the one who "destroyed our country" when you were out charging up credit cards and getting second mortgages--none of which you could afford.

Let's put blame where it's due--YOU.

So its the ammunition mfg's who kill people now? That may be a bit deep for you! Bartman!

Jack,

Check the posting times. I can read -- can you tell time? The posts in the 6's were posted after mine. The first mention of Frank's sexuality was Feisty's. All the others posted before that were critical of Frank for his actions in Congress, not in his bedroom.

Now who is it that's just making assumptions these people are conservative Christians? Oh, yeah, the all-knowing and morally superior Feisty.

I hope Obama skedaddles before he does anymore damage.

Obama's got four more years. Have you seen the cartoon Repub candidates?

I don't think that our great nation can handle 4 more years of this bum.

Can we handle four more years of ANY of these bums?

Bush signed the same Fanny and Freedie bill and supported it completely. Why aren't you blaming him?

Funny how Repubs want America to forget history.

Bart,

Please try really hard to post something different. Thank You.

dano

Bart,

So Bush signing crap legislation written by this fool somehow removes all burden of blame from him?

Good to see it gone (cant call it him)

ABO 2012

Nice try, Bart

Yes, Boehner, please leave with him!

I'm a bit confused as to how you could have one representative from MA and another from CA. The people in those states have elected and re-elected the people you name and must have some good reasons for doing so. If you like your own representative, vote for that person again, if not, vote for change, but recognize that as an issue of states' rights, each state (each district) chooses the person right for representing that district.

Kate, you are of course correct but it says a lot about the people in those Congressional districts.

No more than what the election of Rep. Virginia Foxx or Rep. Michele Bachmann or Rep. Rand Paul says about those districts. If you believe in "states' rights" and the fact that each state has interests that may be different from other states, you must also believe in the right of people to choose representatives and admit the worth of those representatives.

GrilledCheese,

LMAO !!!!!

There should be term limits in congress and to pensions for these crooks. When there time is up go find a job.

gmtodaro,

"go find a job" Would you really want any of those azz holes working for you??? That goes for both sides as far as I'm concerned...

Yeah, but Dano - at least in the private sector, they can get canned for poor work!!!

Kate, what does it say for those liberal states when they reelect the same buffoons every time? Keep in mind that barney frank and maxine waters sat in front of congress just a few months before Fannie and Freddie collapsed and stated that they were on sound financial footing.

John McCain is still a senator, even though he said "the fundamentals of our economy are strong" while Lehman was going under and the market was in freefall.

Maybe you're go back to twisting history...oh, nevermind, you're already there.

wow Bart. For someone who shares a moniker with a great gymnast, you are taking leaps and bounds the Real Bart never took. We all get it. your a big liberal softy open to all deviant behavior and blind to anything bad done by the democratic party. we know, Bush is the devil, Liberal progressives are only trying to save us befuddled conservatives from ourselves.. well thanks for looking out but your message is lost on those of us with a brain and a modicum of morality.

Bart. Just type Bush supported the Fannie/freddie law. Keep pressing it over and over and maybe just maybe, someone other then you will begin to believe. Its Magic..........

Repubs get so angry when there are people smarter than them around. Frank supported the middle class--another reason why Repubs foam at the mouth.

hA!

Bart, Barney NEVER supported me....maybe because I'm white, non-gay, and a Christian. No democrat would EVERY support that............

I'm a white, straight, Christian democrat. Hi!

I didnt know there were any of those left....are you just kidding us?? That is everything that the democrats hate....

Plenty of us. Not as many as there are people who believe sterotypes, but still...

Well-said capecodmom!

Really Capecodmon, Christains don't believe in abortion......................just sayin' you may be christian by faith (non-jew, muslim, hindu) but you are far from a Christian..........

I didn't say a word about abortion, but nevertheless...I think my father the minister would disagree with your characterization. I'm pretty sure I know what my religion is.

Actually Bush pushed, supported, and signed the Fanny and Freddie bill.

How quickly the Repubs forget.

don't confuse them with reality, they can't deal with it.... refuting their talking points makes 'em angry

Bart It's about time you let go of that LIE.

"Bush signed the legislation into law because it included numerous key housing reforms, including a stronger regulator of the two mortgage giants. The White House had originally opposed a provision that offers $4 billion in grants to states to buy and repair foreclosed homes."

"The Bush administration for years advocated a smaller role for the companies, asserting that their management of trillions in assets placed too much risk on the U.S. financial system."

http://www.reuters.com/article/2008/07/30/us-fannie-freddie-bush-idUSN3042756820080730

Bush RELUCTANTLY signed the bill to try to stave off the oncoming collapse.

Umm was it not a democrat controlled congress that approved the bailout. In fact was it not Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn., and Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., the respective
chairmen of the House and Senate committees for banking that received the most lobby money from Freddy Mac and Fanny Mae. Was it not Obama who sunk us into more debt with a stimulas spending money we don't have. I am no Bush fan but how much longer can we blame him for our problems ?

foolishness abounds,

Just like those on the right now saying the Bush tax cuts are now the Obama tax cuts since he agreed to their extension in order to help the unemployed continue to receive unemployment insurance, the fact that Bush signed the bill into law makes it the Bush law. Easy.

Pardon me but wasnt it the subprime loans that caused the bubble and the collapse when the triggers on the low interest rates expires? Wasnt it during the summer of 2006 that the subprime meltdown started and wasnt it the Jan 2007 that the Dems took control of Congress. Now in Congress the party that controls the majority is the party that writes the laws and chairs the committee's. So from 2000 until Jan 2007 it was the Republicans that controlled Congress and therefore they controlled what could and could not be voted on.

So all this BS about Barney Frank is Just BS

PS Thor- interesting that the CBO came out on I believe Wednesday and stated the stimulus package as now added 3+ million jobs. On economic news the first reports are often misstated and later reports get more accurate data.

yeah why aren't they screaming about Waters? what happened to the

investigation in to her corrpute doings?

Don't you remember, Nancy cleared the swamp years ago!

Dag gummit that guy's a gay! We can't have nuttin like him in congress. We Republicans gots our gays too but that's different, they stay in the closet.

That's funny, Chip!