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A dose of practicality
Representative Barney Frank talks about how to solve the financial crisis
by Harry Shipps
Features | 2/24/09
Posted online at 2:03 AM EST on 2/24/09
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On Wednesday, Feb. 11 Frank came to Brandeis to deliver the first annual Masters of Public Policy Distinguished Public Policy lecture sponsored by the Heller School for Social Policy and Management's Master of Public Policy in Social Policy program, called "Fixing What's Wrong: Regulation, Legislation, and the New Administration."
Since 1981, Frank has represented the fourth district of Massachusetts in the United States Congress. Before his election to Congress, Frank was a Massachusetts state representative and an assistant to the mayor of Boston. Frank has also spent time while serving in local and state government teaching at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, Boston University and the University of Massachusetts at Boston.
As chairman of the House Committee on Financial Services since 2007, Frank has gained much insight into the current fiscal situation.
Standing behind a podium in Rapaporte Treasure Hall before an audience that included undergraduate and graduate students, University President Jehuda Reinharz and several news cameras, Frank talked about the deepening financial crisis facing the United States and the world.
His words were at times humorous: "I am puzzled by the argument that we should call [the economic recovery plan] recovery and not stimulus because in my experience, most people would rather be stimulated than recover," he mused.
Even as he made the audience chuckle, Frank raised points about the economy. Speaking about the idea that improving the nation's gross domestic product will improve everyone's circumstances, even without government intervention in matters of distribution, Frank said, "Yes, the rising tide lifts all boats, but if you're standing on tiptoe in the water because you can't afford a boat then the rising tide goes up your nose."
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Boris
posted 2/27/09 @ 7:35 AM EST
Inviting Barney Frank to discuss the country's financial crisis is laughable, considering that the esteemed representative -- along with his Congressional cronies -- has had such a cozy relationship with the big banks and mortgage companies that defrauded millions of Americans. (Continued…)
asher
posted 3/02/09 @ 10:23 PM EST
Barney Frank & his liberal cohorts were responsible for eradicating standards in in the homeloan field. Tens of thousands received home loans with any verification of how the loans wouldd be re-paid. (Continued…)
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