The political Odd couple? Or finally some bipartisanship?
By lilwonders
@lilwonders456 (8214)
United States
July 15, 2010 2:38pm CST
Rep. Barney Frank and Rep. Ron Paul have teamed up to write an interesting article on how to save a TRILLION dollars over the next 10 years. You would think they would not agree on anything. Ron Paul is a libertarian....Barney Frank a liberal democrat. But they agree on this.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rep-barney-frank/why-we-must-reduce-milita_b_636051.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pP8CpXd4i74
What do you think of their idea? If these two can work together...why can't the rest of them to actually get something done about our spending and debt? Do you think the rest of congress will listen to them and go ahead on this idea?
2 people like this
3 responses
@laglen (19759)
• United States
15 Jul 10
no because all of that money is to come from defense. Paul has always been against the wars. this makes sense that he would agree with frank on this. It would be great if we could get more bipartisanship.... we will see. Noy sure how far this will make it.
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
17 Jul 10
I meant to say that in my response, lil, I agree totally that we're spending too much on defense. I want a strong defense as much as anyone but there's probably as much if not more waste in that department than any other in our government. We have weapons programs that have basically been obsolete for decades and for what reason?
Annie
1 person likes this
@lilwonders456 (8214)
• United States
16 Jul 10
I agree with them. We don't need to be spending so much on our defense or have so many military bases in foreign countries. I also don't agree with the wars.
2 people like this
@sierras236 (2739)
• United States
15 Jul 10
I don't know that I agree with them on all of their points. They are right that America does need to scale back on overseas commitments especially since other countries can pick up the slack. The part I don't quite agree with is the need to get out of Iraq quite yet. It is still in the rebuilding process and those democratic legs are still very wobbly. I am not certain pulling out at this point in time is very wise. The three Muslim communities are still at odds and have yet to find a happy medium in the way of politics. In a sense, they are more disadvantaged because their religion is tied up in their politics and not the other way around. I still think it will be very difficult to get keep things on track without at least some Americans around. Iraq is still dangerous. It is going to take at least two generations before ideas change.
But as far as those two getting together, it kind of sounds like Paul was doing most of the talking. What I am surprised at is that Barney Frank was actually listening.
@lilwonders456 (8214)
• United States
15 Jul 10
Us still being in Iraq causes problems for that country. they see us as an "occupying force". Which causes a lot of tention and hostility. Any government put in place right now is being called an American plant. meaning a government we put in place not them. they want us gone. If we wait for the three muslim communities to agree or get along we will be there forever.
I do think we need to cut back on how much we spend on our military.
1 person likes this
@sierras236 (2739)
• United States
16 Jul 10
I am not suggesting they that wait for an agreement. I am waiting for the moment when they can take over the security of their country and have a stable government. Not one that can be blown over the second we leave.
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
17 Jul 10
Why can't the rest of them work together to get something done about ANYTHING? I mean, we desperately need to get a jobs bill passed and the unemployment benefits extended but some in the Senate especially are more interested in politics than doing what's right for the people of their states.
What Frank and Paul have done is what once was the norm rather than the shocking exception. Lawmakers from the two parties could sit down and work together to find common ground even if they started out with very little other than agreeing there was a problem that needed to be solved. Both sides would actually be willing to compromise and give a little knowing that maybe the next time the other side would bend a bit more. Now they act worse than children. It sure would be nice of this "odd couple" were to start a new/old trend, but I'm not going to hold my breath!
Annie
@lilwonders456 (8214)
• United States
19 Jul 10
If the rest would stop playing political games and actually do the job they were sent to Washington to do...I think there is a lot of room for compromise. Like you see with these two.
You are right...this used to be the norm...and I would like it to be the norm again. I am tired of the BS games from both sides.
