Barr: Americans must see I.O.U.S.A.
August 24th, 2008 by Jason PyeBob recently watched I.O.U.S.A., a movie that brings to light the debt that our nation is accumulating under Republicans and Democrats.
He is giving the move his full endorsement: “As we can see in watching this movie, I.O.U.S.A., if we do not get a handle on our national debt very soon, we will essentially loose the capability to do so because it will have overwhelmed us. I hope every American -young, old, rich, poor, professional, student- watches I.O.U.S.A. because it will open their eyes to the most serious, most important problem that faces the United States of America in this 21st century.”
A Barr Administration will promote capitalism and cut spending and work to decrease the burdensome national debt that has dramatically increased under the Bush Administration. Neither McCain or Obama will tackle entitlements head on and neither will do anything to stop growth in the federal budget. Only one candidate will do it and that is Bob Barr.
August 24th, 2008 at 7:40 pm
I’d love to see it, but it isn’t showing anywhere near where I live.
August 24th, 2008 at 8:29 pm
The movie, I understand, is great at delineating the problems. But horrible…from a libertarian perspective…when it offers solutions.
August 24th, 2008 at 8:33 pm
It’s apparently showing in Dallas, but I don’t know where and when as of now…Dallas is about an hour’s drive from me but I’d love to see it and might make the effort if I can.
August 24th, 2008 at 8:46 pm
I saw it and I was impressed…worth every penny of the $12.50 admission fee I paid. I even want to see it again.
August 24th, 2008 at 9:48 pm
I strongly recommend that Mr. Barr see “America, Freedom To Fascism”.
Here is my brief review of I.O.U.S.A. for the Libertarian Party of Ohio Leaders Discussion List.
I spent “$”12.50 and three and a half hours, including driving time, to see I.O.U.S.A. and the commentary by Pete Peterson, David Walker, Warren Buffett, William Niskanen and the guy from AARP. I am afraid that I cannot share former Congressman Barr’s enthusiasm for the movie. It looks as though I will have to spend time to defend him again. Pete Peterson was chairman of the Council on Foreign Relations until last year. Walker now works for him at his tax-free foundation. Buffett is busy trying to get taxpayer funding for his windmill scheme. Even Niskanen’s performance gave some credence to those who argue that the Cato Institute is going soft, if not neocon. Those are clues about the movie. The facts that it was reported on by enemy media such as The New York Times and The Los Angeles Times and was shown by establishment movie theater syndicates across the country were other strong clues. However, I paid my 12.5 federal reserve account units of deposit and hoped for the best.
The few minutes of Ron Paul’s appearance was part of a public record which did show Dr. Paul skewering Alan Greenspan, was quite entertaining and elicited a very good response from the audience, but he actually had nothing to do with the movie. The film made no suggestion that the only rational course of action is to repeal the Federal Reserve System and the Income Tax, phase out Social Security with the proceeds of the passage of the Liberty Amendment and limit and reduce the fedgov to the Constitution. Regarding the manner in which the problems were caused, it was even less informative.
A very informative movie, which does include the causes of the problem as well as a concrete, precise solution, is available, as I told two couples I met to whom I introduced myself in the theater after the movie and on my way to my car. Aaron Russo’s film, America, Freedom to Fascism, which describes the problem’s causes and cure, is a much better film. That is probably why the establishment media pretty much blacked it out and most movie theaters would not show it, although the late Libertarian patriot was a professional movie producer. I am going to end this brief review so that I can share my thoughts with the Barr campaign. Before I do so, here is the link to America, Freedom to Fascism. Spend one hour, fifty one minutes, and sixteen seconds to improve your knowledge and understanding, especially those of you who need to clear your minds of I.O.U.S.A. http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1656880303867390173
August 24th, 2008 at 10:42 pm
It was a good movie. Maybe not perfect, but definitely good. This movie had much higher production values than Russo’s movie. I’m sure it has also benefited from many more promotional dollars.
The average American would probably dismiss Russo’s movie as a little too conspiratorial. They may listen to this one.
As for the live panel discussion, that was a big dissappointment.
August 24th, 2008 at 11:57 pm
The movie did not offer any solutions and remained quite “unpartisan”. It is a wake up call not an endorsement of any particular solution. The panel discussion following the movie was a bit different in that regard where solutions were suggested. Some were decidedly non-libertarian and others were.
I share Barr’s enthusiasm for everyone to see the movie. It is an educational film for the masses.
-Marc
August 25th, 2008 at 2:40 am
There was a special screening of “I.O.U.S.A.” last week - I saw it myself in Portland with nearly a full house - it was a premier organized painstakenly by the producers of the movie.
I have to disagree with David Macko’s neo-con conspiracy angle that he posted above.
The goal of the screening was to show film distributors that the movie “can sell” and get wider distribution. Otherwise, it’s straight to DVD.
As for movie itself, I thought it was basically an informative Debt 101 generally produced for those who are uninformed - but interested - in what’s happening economically to our country.
For many people like us who already know what the problem is, nothing new was revealed. But still worth viewing and talking about.
If there were a lot of “Solutions” in the movie then it may have come off as propaganda to those in the audience who are being given this information for this time.
I think the basic premise of the movie was general education on the deficit and debt, not a manifesto on how exactly to fix it.
That said, it gives the LP an opportunity to start talking about solutions.
The panel with Peterson and Buffet after the movie was meant as a bonus to those who paid for the premier, but it may have been unnecessary and maybe unhelpful.
Buffet was a blind optimist, “nothing is wrong. America is great.”
Optimism is good, if reasonable. I love America too. But his sort of blind optimism doesn’t help right now when the government has a nearly 9 Trillion dollar debt - not including personal or household debt - and the Chinese can stop accepting our IOU’s at any time.
The AARP president naturally stood up for his members and thinks Social Security “can still work”, i.e. if just in the hands of the right people. Something most libertarians would likely disagree with.
Walker was the only one who seemed to really get it, though I don’t agree with all of his ideas on how to solve it.
But the panel did show how difficult it’s going to be to solve because there are so many different points-of-view and agendas.
If anything, the movie shows just how poorly the Democrats and Republicans have managed our money… and how immoral big government is in regards to taxation, debt, and inflation.
And for those of us who love freedom and believe that sound money is essential to it, any movie that does that should be welcome.
August 25th, 2008 at 10:18 am
So, here’s an LP opportunity. I have not seen the movie, but if it’s true that it’s light on solutions, why not have the LP, with the help of local volunteers, sponsor the movie in smaller markets? After the movie, the volunteers could hand out “solution brochures” to the attendees. The effort would be targeted towards those who are concerned about our national debt and the LP message would go home with these people.
August 25th, 2008 at 4:09 pm
I did not mean to imply that I.O.U.S.A. had no positive aspects. Certainly, it is worthwhile that Americans should be alerted to the fact that government intervention for the last 90 years is bringing us to the brink of destruction.
However, the late Libertarian presidential nomination contender Aaron Russo’s excellent film, America: Freedom to Fascism, which included numerous commentaries by Congressman Ron Paul, and certainly indicated that he endorses it, is much better by any standard. I urge everyone who is reading this message to see it and judge it for yourselves.
It would be a far better tool to use to give people the opportunity to learn about and understand Libertarian solutions. Most likely, the establishment corporate movie theater chains will not show America: Freedom to Fascism, another indication of its superior quality and informative ability.
I.O.U.S.A. is pablum, possibly including some substances which shouldn’t be eaten. America: Freedom to Fascism is meat and potatoes with sufficient nourishment to prepare for the continuing battle to restore liberty.
August 25th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
If anyone is interested in getting another chance to see “I.O.U.S.A.”
I just read on the producers blog that there will still be some showings while distributors decide if they want to move forward with a wider release.
Check here to see if there are any show times in your area:
http://www.fandango.com/i.o.u.s.a._113616/movieoverview
August 26th, 2008 at 7:57 am
David, thanks for the link to America: Freedom to Fascism. I was not aware of this movie till you posted. I think I’m going to order the 50 dvd spindle and pass copies out to everyone I know. I pray to God Barr get’s elected, because as long as either a Republican or a Democrat hold the White House the scam that is the 16th amendment will continue and the knowledge that the amendment was not properly ratified will remain covered up.
The Law That Never Was
August 26th, 2008 at 10:52 am
Please don’t call Social Security, Medicare, and similar programs “entitlements.” They’re not benefits that someone is “entitled” to, but rather something the participants have earned.
Take a look at:
http://www.aafr.org/2008/08/26/please-dont-call-them-entitlements/
August 26th, 2008 at 8:08 pm
E G., that is not totally correct, either. A person could pull from social security without ever putting into it. In the near future, more money will be coming out than will be going in. And millionaires get far less than what they put in.
It’s simply redistribution of wealth. I agree, by all means, give people back what they put in. After that’s done, close Social Security and have people use savings accounts or join VOLUNTARY social welfare programs.