Finding the Money

The core basis of this documentary is that the combined national debt is nothing more than the sum of the available capital in the private sector, being that the government creates the money it spends. It cannot spend what it does not create, nor can it exist in surplus without taking back more than it spent.

They reference the declining interest rate with the increase of the national debt as a means to show thst this debt it not bad, and without too much critical thought, you might think this is all a grand idea.

However, what it does not take into consideration is that this created currency is backed by something; in the case of our fiat currency system, our GDP. So let me explain it like this:

Let's say a currency is backed by a gold brick. We all decide that the gold brick is worth 100 pieces of paper. The value of that brick remains fairly constant and the value of those papers do as well.

Now, let's assume again that the value of the brick doesn't change much, but now we put another 100 pieces of paper into circulation. As the brick value remains constant (or near constant) that value if paper has now decreased. This is inflation.

So as the debt (amount of excess spending without tax recuperation) grows, the value of the dollar decreases, as it does not meet the same rate of growth as our GDP.

Short story long, this movie's core premise is easily debunked by even the layperson with a basic understanding of macroeconomics.

Stephanie Kelton and friends are presenting their radical Modern-Monetary-Theory (MMT) idea as the panacea to all of humanity problems. The main concept of MMT is that government can spend on whatever it feels like. At the end of the day, it is the bureaucrats in the government who get to decide where every citizen's toil and sweat should be channeled into. Should the government decide that Bill Gates needs to get all of your money, and he shouldn't have any competitors, they are wholly free to do so, and they are doing it. There is apparently no constraint or anything that can stop the government from choosing what is best for YOU.

The only thing that is supposedly "easy to calculate" and can stop the rampant spending by government is the risk of inflation. Kelton doesn't even try to explain what Inflation is, or how it is created, she just mentioned that it is important and easy to math out. So the government creating dollars and spending them into the economy in the trillions has nothing to do with inflation. As long as there are enough poor people who can use these dollars to spend like drunken sailors and keep the economy out of a depression.

If you ever had any interest in economy, and you read some significant books by influential economists in history, you might want to call 911 because this "documentary" is going to give you a heart attack.

The bureaucrats in the USSR would be really envious to have some of this MMT drug to explain away their perfect economic system.

First, ignore the critical reviews who don't want you to watch this film. They're akin to oil and coal lobbyists trying to gaslight us, and keep us from understanding the true origins, nature, and mechanics of money.

This film is 90 mins, but the conversations you'll have post watching this film with others is limitless--you'll be discussing these economic principles (not concepts) for the rest of your life educating others. Hyperbole? Sure, but not by much. It's my small motivator conferring the thought "Trust me. You want to, and need to, see this film."

This film is a 10/10 for what it is and it's intended purpose. View this film as an introductory "101" course. It serves this purpose well. For those familiar with MMT, it may feel a bit too shallow, but that is by design. It's wonky enough to engage economists but not overly wonky, dull, or dry.

My gut believes this is most likely the first of what will become a series of documentaries with each new release going deeper and building on the knowledge and education of this introductory film.

Shawn.

Stephanie Kelton is a fool and a fraud. Once again Netflix produces a lemon

"Finding the Money" promises a revolutionary understanding of economics,

but instead delivers a one-sided infomercial for a controversial theory. The documentary relies on charisma, not critical analysis, to peddle Modern Monetary Theory (MMT) as the answer to all our financial woes.

Step Right Up, Folks, It's Snake Oil Economics!

The film hinges on Professor Stephanie Kelton's enthusiastic lectures. Kelton comes across as passionate, but passion doesn't equal peer-reviewed fact. MMT's core tenet - that governments can simply print money without consequence - is a recipe for economic disaster in the hands of most. The documentary ignores historical examples of hyperinflation caused by reckless money printing.

Where's the Beef? (Besides Kelton)

MMT is presented as a complete economic theory, but dissenting voices are scarce. The film cherry-picks interviews with a small group of MMT proponents, creating an echo chamber effect. Where's the debate? Where are the mainstream economists who find MMT wanting?

Pretty Pictures Don't Pay the Bills

The documentary uses flashy graphics to illustrate complex economic concepts. Unfortunately, these visuals can't mask the film's lack of depth. Serious discussions about inflation, interest rates, and currency valuation are left unexplored.

Finding the Money? More Like Losing Your Time

"Finding the Money" might appeal to those seeking a quick economic fix, but for anyone looking for a balanced and nuanced understanding of our financial system, this documentary is a waste of time. Skip the propaganda and head to your local library for some real economic education.

Fantastic documentary. Explaining what money is and how the monetary system works. Pulling the veil back on many damaging misconceptions and misunderstandings which lead to terrible policy choices and terrible outcomes. Important and timely. Paradigm challenging, which will make many watching uncomfortable as it will go against everything they've ever heard and what they believe to be true intuitively, because it's what everyone says, it's what politicians say, what many economists say, and what many journalists and media say. But once you see it and it clicks, you can't unsee it. We can't solve the biggest challenges we face unless we understand the basics and how things actually work.