IOUSA

Directed By Patrick Creadon

Review By Deirdre Meehan

THE FISCAL WAKE UP TOUR

I can’t think of any one less qualified than myself to review a film on the national debt, which is what this documentary directed by Patrick Creadon (Wordplay) is about. I’m not even qualified to watch it, but I did. Twice.

And that’s the whole point of the film which is being shown in Film Festivals around the country. The American public doesn’t really understand fiscal policy and how our debt works. “The Fiscal Wake Up Tour” is actually a bus tour comprised of disparate financial experts joined together with US Comptroller and head of the GAO, David M. Walker. They are on a mission to educate the American public in a hurry during this election year, and they have appeared in at least 20 states so far, preaching once again the gospel – paraphrased-it’s not Iraq, it’s the economy (stupid).  Following the tour, the film interviews lots of normal citizens as well as some of the most prestigious and well known experts.

Though it’s a dry subject it does speed along, throws in some humor, and is very watchable. It also manages some explaining on a level that you can understand even if you’re not an economics major.

Turns out we’ve had deficits since Revolutionary times. And people have been saying the same scary things since then. The film is good on stating the problem, but no one seems to have the solution. Alan Greenspan being questioned by Congress stated “there is no good solution”. Paul Tsongas says the 2 political parties are unable to speak the truth because the people don’t want to hear it.  Warren Rudman says we don’t want to hear it because we don’t understand it, so we’re afraid. Again, Greenspan responding to Ron Paul’s accusation that for 3 years in a row Greenspan never once was in target range, says he’s “not quite sure what the answers are”.

But someone knew the answer. The Clinton/Rubin team put is in a very good position with a good projected trajectory for 25 years.

But Bush took care of that. Within 8 years he has doubled our national debt.

So though’ I don’t know the answer, the film certainly brought the issue to the forefront of my awareness, and made me think.

Watch it and VOTE!

PS. David M. Walker has resigned his positions.