Barney Frank on bombing: ‘Be grateful’ for ‘a well-funded, functioning government’

[ashling]

Former Massachusetts Rep. Barney Frank (D) on Tuesday warned that Monday’s twin bombings in Boston were an example of why lawmakers should proceed with caution when considering cutting taxes and slashing the budget.

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“Let’s be very grateful that we had a well-funded, functioning government,” Frank agreed. “It is very fashionable in America and has been for some time to criticize government, belittle public employees, talk about their pensions, talk about what people think is their excessive health care, here we saw government in two ways perform very well.”

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Frank added that that “this is a terrible day for our society, but a day when I hope people will understand the centrality of having a government in place with the resources.”

“At a time like this, no one thinks about saving pennies. But going forward, I hope people aren’t going to think, you spent these tens and tens of millions of dollars — that would probably be a low estimate — let’s just take that out of everything we have going forward. This is an example of why we need to provide the resources for our common good.”

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/04/16/barney-frank-on-tax-cuts-after-bombing-be-grateful-for-a-well-funded-functioning-government/

[graham4anything]

1. Barney normally talks to the average person. As he does he! Right on Barney.

Barney should have been the one getting the Senate seat.

[Sekhmets Daughter]

2. Barney Frank always gets to the heart of the matter!

Few do it better or more eloquently.

[bushisanidiot]

3. He's absolutely right!

the first responders and everyone doing the investigation to find the terrorist who did this are all paid with tax payer money.
and it's money well spent!

[progressoid]

4. Of Barney, Barney, Barney.

You don't get it. It's because our govt failed that this happened. That's what AM radio told me last night. Our govt let this happen.

[Cha]

12. I have an idea!

Stop listening to rw propaganda

[Myrina]

5. ... naw, just privatize it all ... they can handle it better than "government workers" ....

That'll be the RW's response.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

6. From everything I heard, the response in Boston was just incredible.

Of course, it helped that there were a large amount of police and medics on hand due to the marathon itself, but nonetheless, the public workers shined.

[npk]

7. We do need more people speaking out about public service employees

and responders. It's great that Barney Frank spoke out. But we need more of this and not just when a horrible tragedy occurs to make us remember what these selfless public service workers do everyday. These people often work very long hours and under very stressful conditions, and despite what a lot of Republicans would have folks believe, these people are not lazy and overpaid.

[SCVDem]

8. Can you imagine a Paul Ryan ER?

They would still be checking victims insurance coverage.

Luvs the Barney! As plain spoken as can be.

[mountain grammy]

9. I love that Barney Frank and so miss his voice in Congress.

Who would think and openly gay man would become one of the greatest legislators and philosophers of our time.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

10. That's why the state is called a Commonwealth.

Clue.

[dsc]

14. I wouldn't go that far

both Kentucky and Virginia are also commonwealths.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

17. Yes, other states are called commonwealths. I knew that.

The point being that that acknowledges the interdependent nature of a state.

[dsc]

18. My point is that not all commonwealths behave like MA

[shenmue]

11. I loves me some Rep. Frank.

Let me count the ways!

[Cha]

13. Thank you for speaking out for our US Governemnt, Barney Frank.

He's right, of course.. so many gripes until it comes time to be helped.

And, here's to all the beautiful help from the citizens of Boston and everywhere else, too!

[davidn3600]

15. Seems to not be thinking deeply enough...

If these terrorists are international (we dont know the bomber is...im making a hypothetical) and they bombed us because of our foreign policy adventures in places like Iraq....Then, Barney, I'm sorry...but it's sort of the government's fault that this even happened in the first place.

[ashling]

16. Seem not to be thinking deeply enough ...

If these terrorists are international or domestic (we don't know who is responsible for this) and no matter what their reasoning was ... Then, davidn3600, I'm sorry ... but you apparently missed the point entirely that there is a definite role for a well run and functioning government.