I.O.U.S.A.
| I.O.U.S.A. | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Patrick Creadon |
| Written by | Patrick Creadon Christine O'Malley Addison Wiggin |
| Distributed by | Roadside Attractions |
Release date | 2008 |
Running time | 85 min. |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
I.O.U.S.A. is a 2008 documentary film directed by Patrick Creadon.
It competed in the Documentary Competition at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival.[1]
The film focuses on the shape and impact of the United States national debt. The film features Robert Bixby, director of the Concord Coalition, and David Walker, the former U.S. Comptroller-General, as they travel around the United States on a tour to let communities know of the potential dangers of the national debt. This is a tour carried out through the Concord Coalition, and is known as the "Fiscal Wake-Up Tour." In February 2008, Walker announced that he would be resigning from his post as Comptroller General to become the president and CEO of the newly established Peter G. Peterson Foundation. His term is scheduled to end in 2013. He states that he feels he can more freely draw attention to the serious issues the U.S. is facing from this position.[2]
The film began its nationwide showing at the Holland Performing Arts Center in Omaha, Nebraska on 21 August 2008, with a live discussion among Warren Buffett, Pete Peterson, David Walker, William Niskanen, and Bill Novelli following the screening.
The companion book, published by John Wiley & Sons, was released in September 2008. Written by the film’s executive producer Addison Wiggin, the book expands on the film and details America’s budget, personal savings, trade, and leadership deficits. It also elaborates on several statistics mentioned in the movie - from the $9 trillion federal debt to the $738.6 billion trade deficit to the fact that each citizen owes an average of $30,000. The book includes interviews with Warren Buffett, Alan Greenspan, Paul Volcker, Robert Rubin, Alice Rivlin, Pete Peterson, David Walker, Paul O’Neill, James Areddy, Arthur Laffer, Steve Forbes, and Bill Bonner.[3]
See also
- United States public debt
- United States federal budget
- Treasury bonds
- Social Security
- Social Security debate (United States)
- Medicare (United States)
- Gross domestic product
References
External links
- I.O.U.S.A. at IMDb
- Film Rap: I.O.U.S.A. - Patrick Creadon Interview by Warren Etheredge, The Warren Report, 2008
- I.O.U.S.A. Official website
- Movie review at Variety.com. provides details on actual structure of movie.
- Podcast with Filmmakers and subjects at Zoom-in.com.
- Roger Ebert review of "I.O.U.S.A.": [1]
External links: "Chart Talk" Examples
One of the best ways to understand the long-term budget risks is through helpful charts. The following sources contain charts and commentary:
- GAO Fiscal Briefing by David Walker
- Perot Charts
- The Heritage Foundation's "Federal Revenue and Spending Chart Book"
- Peter G. Peterson Foundation Citizen's Guide
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