Reply #12: I attended the premier in Omaha

[StoryTeller]

I thought it was an EXCELLENT film. It was very non-partisan. The most political it got was the section at the end that lambasted Bush's economic policies the past 8 years--which was well-deserved and well-done.

And actually, when they were on the section about the budget and reviewing the history of recent presidents and their promises, they showed mostly Republican presidents--and not in what I felt was a flattering light at all.

The film does NOT advocate for a reduction in any social services--they actually don't get into specific policies at all. They covered four areas: Budget, Trade Deficit, Leadership Deficit, and ...ohh, can't remember the fourth one right now. Savings Deficit, I think.

It was actually very informative. They showed the history of debt in the U.S. (and I learned that the 1830's was the only point in our history where our government actually paid off all its debt). They also explained clearly what inflation was, the problems with it, defined "trade deficit" and explained in understandable ways WHY all this is a problem--in terms of national security, standard of living, etc.

The film focuses primarily on the role of the government, but it also gives some very honest critique of the debt mentality that the American public has as well. We DON'T save, we DO spend money we don't have, we DON'T have a lot of fiscal understanding. And they showed what the consequences will be if we don't change our ways.

I think it's a film we all need to see. I don't want to see our country cut programs--I think we have a moral responsibility to take care of the less fortunate and the people who need help. But we also have a moral responsibility to steward our resources wisely. Debt is not wise. Debt is stupid and dangerous, and that's the main message of this film. It presents the problem, and I think its goal is to get people to wake up and start discussing and demanding solutions.

If it's showing near you, GO SEE IT!!!