Desertman84 I.O.U.S.A. is a documentary that focuses on the shape and impact of the federal debt which amounts to $9.6 Trillion during the year of its release(It is now approaching to $18 Trillion as this review is being written).Patrick Creadon directs.The film details the history of the federal debt from the time it got its independence in 1776 and the actions the country did throughout history;it explores how the United States got to be in this present economic turmoil; and what actions the country needs to undertake in order to escape an all-out financial disaster that no American can escape in the future.Added to that,it also provides an explanation about the big portion of the budget deficit that the county accumulated due to unfunded benefits - Medicare,Medicaid and Social Security - which could only be provided by increasing the taxes three times and removing the other expenditures of the government.Aside from that,it also examines the culture of credit that have become part of the lifestyle of the Americans; and the trade deficit that the country has had - more imports as compared to exports - to other countries particularly that of China.Finally,it also gives the viewer a portrait of lack of leadership in Washington especially when it comes to cutting government expenditures and spending.Although this documentary needs and update considering the debt is presently humongous due to additional government spending like more entitlement and welfare programs as well as the implementation of the Affordable Care Act or Obamacare,it gives us an idea on where the United States is headed to economically.Aside from that,it also will no longer provide Americans any lingering doubts that the U.S. economy is headed into a collapse in the near future.Finally,it also provides the viewer reasons to change habits like the culture of credit and spending patterns in order to survive the worse economic meltdown that is yet to come into the country. This solid doc is definitely a must-see for Americans.

wayno-6 I.O.U.S.A. (the DVD - released on April 7, 2009) This PBS Documentary, discusses the four areas of deficit facing the U.S.1. The Deficit of the Budget 2. The Deficit of Trade 3. The Deficit of Saving 4. The Deficit of Leadership It well documents how we got into this mess, and very succinctly, states what every one already knows: "There is NO free lunch!" A must see for any Taxpayer.It aptly discusses the crises of leadership provided during the Bush administration, and the doubling of the national debt.Can we afford to mortgage future generations? Can we afford to mortgage our own? Very scary. Reuters said it best: "May be to the U.S. economy what 'An Inconvenient Truth' was to the environment."Rated 5 stars.

fer1065 This is just republican propaganda crap!Trying To scare Americans into signing away their paid right to social security.They want to steal that money too!!!The social security trust fund is not insolvent! So do not let your representatives take your retirement away from you.Do not vote for this idea or any along this path.If you do,you'll still pay FICA taxes the republicans will take,and you get nothing in return.Not even a "thank you".I can't believe all the laws GW Bush took away,including ones that covered this.Out and out lies,and calling them facts!Stuff like this should get Americans boiled up and make them take the republicans out of every seat in the house and senate.Be alittle intelligent and don't fall for this "scare tactics" propaganda piece aimed at taking your hard earned money away from you and into their pockets.

ZMAN738 This is the truth of the matter. We, as Americans, are living far beyond our means. Don't blame Me, You or Curly Sue but we are in a "Black Hole". Our 9 TRILLION National Debt will kill the U.S. economy in just a few short years if we do not, now, as a Nation, start to take preventive action to avoid the meltdown. Social Security and Medi-care will suck up huge resources from the Federal budget, as the film suggests. Our Chinese Masters may soon call "All In" as they say in poker. Should we call the bluff and re-allocate monetary resources away from "Intitlements," which suck up large amounts of money, we still will be at a disadvantage in the long run. We need now to cut the fat from the bone if we are serious about surviving, as a Nation, the next 20 years.