I have to preface this by saying that I am no long-time fan of Barney Frank (D-MA).  He has been my poster child for the idea that we don’t elect people with character, but rather we just elect characters.  He is outspokenly liberal, intellectually combative and has no tolerance for idiots, as this clip suggests.

And to this I say finally.  Finally a congressperson on the left stands up and says it how it is.  Notice the reaction from this woman.  It was as if she had her Oxford-style legs cut out from under her.  She didn’t continue arguing.  She seemed humiliated, as if she walked up in front of the crowd wearing a clown suit expecting nobody to call her out when the person that happened to do so was standing at the podium in front of her.

Today I applaud Barney Frank, who has done nothing but piss me off up to this point.  In a time of stark partisanship, he is certainly a polarizing figure.  His manner of delivery often makes me think he does more harm than good, but I can honestly say that today I have become a new fan.  He has done what none of his peers have had the guts to do thus far.

I sincerely hope that this becomes a turning point for the left.  Stop fearing the debate, and certainly don’t let whackos like this woman stop you from having a logical, civil discourse on the topic of health care reform in the US.  Meet them with the truth and bludgeon them with their own shortcomings.  Stop being so flippin’ political.  We didn’t elect you to garner votes for the next cycle.  We elected you to be honest and fight for your beliefs.  Start taking notes.

Way to go, Mr. Frank.