Barney Frank Talks Frank at Town Hall Meeting

I’m not attempting to take sides in the raucous health care debate, which has led to many town hall meetings that have devolved into shouting matches, but I couldn’t help but admire US Rep. Barney Frank for the way he conducted himself during a typically rowdy discussion in Dartmouth, Mass., Tuesday night.

Rather than attempting to placate the angry crowd, which also included a smattering of supporters, Frank simply stood his ground and refused to be bullied.

"You want me to talk about it or do you want to yell?" he repeatedly asked when interrupted while trying to answer questions from constituents, according to CNN. When the yelling continued, he then said, "Disruption never helps your cause ... just looks like you're afraid to have rational discussion."

In an age when politicians always seem to kiss butt when they are standing in front of voters, Frank’s candor felt like a breath of fresh air, the perfect antidote to the phoniness that often seems to accompany politics.

Also, we gotta admit he was kinda funny, too. For instance, when one woman attempted to compare Obama’s heath care plan, which Barney supports, as akin to a policy in Nazi Germany, Frank did not flinch.

"When you ask me that question, I'm going to revert to my ethnic heritage and ask you a question: On what planet do you spend most of your time?" Frank asked. "Trying to have a conversation with you would be like trying to argue with a dining room table. I have no interest in doing it."

Frank also proved that he knew his stuff. When people at the meeting accused the House health care bill of providing free coverage for illegal immigrants, he promptly pulled out the section of the bill that spells out the opposite to be true.

Later, when the boos continued, he again bluntly admonished the crowd.

"What's the matter with you all?" he said. "I don't know if you get angrier when I answer the questions, or when you don't think I do."

It’s not that prickly town meetings are the definition of good news, but perhaps frank discussions are just what we need to see actual progress happen.

Photo courtesy of United States Congress via Wikimedia Commons