I.O.U.S.A.

I am no political graduate or major in economics, but I do believe that the average 'Joe American' can certainly put two and two together and realize that America is in a crisis. Watching this film over a year after it's release just makes it even scarier.

I don't have much to say on the film. It does a good job on explaining the American Debt, giving some (and enough) details on how it all started (1776) and to now. It gives solid details on what led to the current state of Federal Debt and it issues out 'how to solve' this problem.

Really, the pathetic thing (not of the film, but on congress) is that the SOLUTIONS, which are proclaimed radical by the 'back of the box summary' are extremely blatant and common sense.

Saw this movie last night and it's something I could call mandatory viewing for everyone - for those in power making the tough decisions and for those affected that need to understand them. It's a chilling doc only because the situation is so real, and my generation will be greatly affected by our government's fiscal irresponsibility and spending today.

The movie itself, while not as sexy or explosive as some documentary topics, was well done, in my view. I appreciated the Econ 101 premise, with engaging charts, easy to understand fables, and relevant interview bites. This topic is bigger and more important than an 85 minute documentary and I felt they captured the urgency of this dire situation. Unless action is taken now we might not be able to dig out selves out in a few years.

Can't wait until the DVD comes out in October when I can make my friends watch, but even more so I'm looking forward to the book, which comes out September 29th ( http://www.amazon.com/I-O-U-S-Addison-Wiggin/dp/0470222778/ ). Wiggin's Demise of the Dollar was the catalyst for IOUSA, and I'm really interested in seeing the full and complete interviews of everyone involved in the movie, collected in the book.

I.O.U.S.A.

This is a very fatalistic and realistic film about where our nation's financial security stands.

This is also a very deliberate ploy, no matter how many references to "non-partisan" they are proclaiming, to promote the Democratic Party in the next presidential election.

Like all films or media or crooked politicians, they are slanting the facts in to promote their own way of thinking and in this case, a way that will leave the American people to believe that the only salvation they will have are to vote a Democratic president into office. In other words, it is an Obama commercial.

Everything they said is perfectly true from the financial debt in the beginning of our country to the mess we have now and the reliance our financial security stands on a Communistic and non-democratic government, China. And don't forget the other real threat that if our financial debt fell into a worst regime such as a forceful Middle Eastern country.

However, what are some of the truths that they are not presenting?

The issue that our political leaders, Republican AND Democrat, are usually bought with "campaign funds" – in other words bribes – to sell out the American people. From foreign countries who do not want to pay heavy tariffs for importing junk into our country; to credit card companies and banks and financial institutions that are allowed to hike up the APRs on "fixed" and "adjustable" interest rates which increases bankruptcy and foreclosures on the middle and poor class citizens; to the health care fields who have little or no regulations on increasing the cost of necessary medicines; to giving citizen rights and health care to illegal aliens who broke the first law of our land in illegal entry to our country; to give the ACLU carte blanche to control and restrain our freedom of speech laws and if they win or lose, they get paid either way!

Other truths they are deliberately not referring to is the fact that Clinton and his administration – and wife – seemed to have pocketed quite a bit of funds for themselves. Where did the money go when Clinton pardoned at least 140 criminals – and millionaire traitors to our country – in the last two days of his office? Who benefited from renting the White House like a hotel to enemies of democracy? Why wasn't the threats to the World Trade Center stopped with the first bombing? What about the increase threats to the Freedom of Speech that we are battling today with "hate" crime laws and lowering the age of consensual sexual acts?

Bush has not been an angel. He has no idea how it feels to be poor making less than the average wage, no benefits and having to live in Affordable Housing by force. He gives tax breaks to those making $40,000.00 and up when the middle and poor need this much more, incentive bonuses to those who have made certain amounts of money, and much more.

Nevertheless, these are just a few of the problems that are the base of the country's problems that have caused us this tremendous financial burden. Once a country and the country's leaders – both Republican and Democratic – are willing to sell out their own people for a few more measly dollars, it is no wonder that our debt to the world is more crucial than our debt to ourselves.

During the live broadcast aired on Thursday, August 21 with such distinguished speakers as Warren Buffet and David Walker, it was very unclear on how the average American citizen could influence this issue and maximum spending.

The representatives stated that we should take care of our health, save money and vote to elect the correct officials that will listen to our needs and causes.

However, until they eliminate the possibility of "campaign funds," lobbyist for large companies that get little or no regulations, take away special governmental perks like free traveling expenses, voting in pay raises, and working multiple consecutive terms for the politicians – then we might get in some really honest men and women of all nationalities and creeds who will care about doing their job and remember their sworn oath and not care about acquiring all the freebees.

Remember a little known president called Harry S Truman? What is one of the personal idiosyncrasies he is well known for spurning? Franking. He refused his rights in this area and used regular postage stamps as any American citizen.

Until there are more like him or people of like minds to not fleece the common man, America will continue to go more and more into a financial decline jeopardizing not only our children's future but our own.

This movie is not for policy wonks, economists, or accountants. It's for citizens of the United States - Highly Patriotic citizens who want to preserve their country.

It spells out in superb graphics what we're up against financially. The film has a great pace, lots of color, and combines all sorts of mediums to make an excellent presentation of the information.

The message is dark, but brutally honest. And there is yet hope, so I encourage you to see the movie to find out what it is.

I am absolutely convinced if the electorate saw and understood these issues, we would be willing to make the hard choices quite gladly, and reward politicians who were clear, transparent and honest, and send packing those who's egos and greed keep them in Washington.

What ever happened to civil service as a moral ideal?

This is the truth of the matter. We, as Americans, are living far beyond our means. Don't blame Me, You or Curly Sue but we are in a "Black Hole". Our 9 TRILLION National Debt will kill the U.S. economy in just a few short years if we do not, now, as a Nation, start to take preventive action to avoid the meltdown. Social Security and Medi-care will suck up huge resources from the Federal budget, as the film suggests. Our Chinese Masters may soon call "All In" as they say in poker. Should we call the bluff and re-allocate monetary resources away from "Intitlements," which suck up large amounts of money, we still will be at a disadvantage in the long run. We need now to cut the fat from the bone if we are serious about surviving, as a Nation, the next 20 years.