Lately it would seem that I have been experiencing a new phenomenon that I have dubbed "Late Night Cinema". I hardly seem to ever have the time or energy to actually watch a movie during the evening and when I do, its like taking a no doz....so I was quite surprised that my 2am viwing of "IOUSA" not only held my interest, but was able to change my perspective on my own financial situation as well as the one the world faces today. Documentary as a genre are gaining momentum in my heart as one of my favorites. I love art or the expression of art and/or reality that either reveals to you something about yourself or the world we live in and documentaries usually achieve this through their clever storytelling.
IOUSA is particularly timely because it dares to explain our countries fiscal irresponsibility in terms we can understand. Mainly, it is a call to arms for the people to educate and arm ourselves for the impeding backlash the irresponsibility of our predecessors have thrusted upon us. What is also to note, is that often times in our personal fiscal pratfalls are but mere echoes of how the larger system works and plays out.
Its no secret that most of us live paycheck to paycheck and that hardly anyone in this day and age is conditioned to cut their spending and save money. But imaging this to be the mentality of our government, who recklessly spends taxpayer money while lowering taxes and give the Federal reserve the task of being the central bank in charge of balancing economic growth with regulating inflation (two notions that often contradict each other). Its like, how can the wealthiest nation be in a position where foreign interest and entities control most of our debt. And since we are a nation built on consumerism, we forgot that industry is what made this country so prosperous. An industry we now outsource to other nations.
I was surprised to realize (I kinda knew but didn't have the full history) that Clinton's presidency is pretty much the only time or one of the few times in our countries history where we had a balanced budget and were both parties came together to complete a common goal. Which means that our 14 trillion dollar debt or whatever it is....in theory is something that (given responsible leadership) can be combated over time. However, we live in popular thought time and celebrity has ultimately clouded our moral compass of what is and what is not responsible. For the truth is that the baby boomers (which means essentially or parents) have enjoyed a lifestyle that we will have a much harder time trying to obtain.
Its so staggering to me that my generation is probably the first sans college degree who have to explore the option of moving back home....because our debt prevents us from moving forward. And the very public, very unified protest yesterday of UC tuition hikes only proves how daunting the future will be. For higher education can no longer deliver on its fundamental promise of success through education. This is impossible when your degree is deemed more expensive than its worth and you are so in debt that it would take half a lifetime just to break even. No wonder folks now have such a disillusioned desire for fame and celebrity. To the masses, these things now provide what a college degree is no guarantee to; financial freedom, wealth, power, prestige....the list goes on.
According to the documentary, the three biggest expenses the US faces are Healthcare, Medicaid, and Social Security. In fact, it is projected that these expenses will balloon so far out of control that they will push funding for everything else out the window. So it sorta makes sense why healthcare is being talked about soo much. It really is THE biggest expense we face. I do feel that their should be basic provisions for all Americans to enjoy a quality of life that is accessible to all. But as things are going now, we are just beginning to acknowledge that the middle class has been desperately gouged to the point of bankruptcy. It really is disheartening to know that I have worked everyday since I was 16 years old and can't afford a home, but there are plenty of section 8 recipients who enjoy just that (and have had to do far less to obtain their dream). Life is inevitably not fair, and everything is not meant to be. Not when 5% of the population (or whatever it is) hold all the wealth.
Its funny cause I was not at all intending to write such a synopsis. What I really had in mind was to write a quick review of the movie and provide a synopsis. But as you can see, the best of anything inspires continued thought and action. And that is probably why I am beginning to love documentaries so much. You can either agree or disagree with them, but the point to their existence is to invoke conversation and an exchange of ideas that things like Twitter can't even compete with. Our narcissism leads us to excess and indulgence, but our sense of common sense tells us that maybe we should save for a raining day. But many folks don't know what that looks like and have never seen one. Same with documentaries. But with both, once you do you are educated and more apt to know that our realities are often times very fickle.....changing every so slightly by the power of the mighty dollar.
IOUSA Synopsis:
Wake up, America! We're on the brink of a financial meltdown. I.O.U.S.A. boldly examines the rapidly growing national debt and its consequences for the United States and its citizens. As the Baby Boomer generation prepares to retire, will there even be any Social Security benefits left to collect? Burdened with an ever-expanding government and military, increased international competition, overextended entitlement programs, and debts to foreign countries that are becoming impossible to honor, America must mend its spendthrift ways or face an economic disaster of epic proportions. Throughout history, the American government has found it nearly impossible to spend only what has been raised through taxes. Wielding candid interviews with both average American taxpayers and government officials, Sundance veteran Patrick Creadon (Wordplay) helps demystify the nation's financial practices and policies. The film follows U.S. Comptroller General David Walker as he crisscrosses the country explaining America's unsustainable fiscal policies to its citizens. With surgical precision, Creadon interweaves archival footage and economic data to paint a vivid and alarming profile of America's current economic situation. The ultimate power of I.O.U.S.A. is that the film moves beyond doomsday rhetoric to proffer potential financial scenarios and propose solutions about how we can recreate a fiscally sound nation for future generations. Pointedly topical and consummately nonpartisan, I.O.U.S.A. drives home the message that the only time for America's financial future is now. --© Sundance Film Festival
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