I.O.U.S.A, the critically acclaimed documentary on the U.S. national date made by Agora Financial’s Addison Wiggan and Kate Incontrera, premiered last Thursday.

The movie has already stirred up much debate about the rapidly growing national debt and its consequences for the United States and its citizens

Below are a some emails from readers at Joel Bowman’s Rude Awakening blog with feedback on the movie…

First up, this one from John in Seattle…

I.O.U.S.A was excellent on all counts, but a week later I wonder whether the momentum will be lost.

In the Seattle screening, people were so agitated and motivated it seemed they were ready to storm Congress, had the building not been situated 2,300 miles away. Unfortunately the event did not equip movie-goers with the tools to tap into their personal networks and spread the word.

Here I am, telling everyone I know they should see the movie, but it’s not playing in any local theaters. I have nothing else to offer them. I wonder if too much time was spent making the movie, and not enough time thinking about how to turn it into a grassroots phenomenon.

Which raises my next question…even if by some miracle we all acquiesced to higher taxes to pay down our debts, what is to stop the Congress from going on a spending spree? Nothing, which is why it will take a heart-stopping crisis for Congress to actually take action on the debt.

And another from Robert in Canada…

I wonder if we’ll see I.O.U.S.A being promoted by teacher’s unions across North America and kids forced to watch it in their classrooms? Like they did with Al Gore’s movie.

Oh I know the answer…….No.

That says a lot about where we are and where we are likely going.

From Mr. Edwards in Oregon…

My wife and I viewed the movie  in Medford, Oregon In a theater with about 85% occupancy. Of particular interest was the percentage of persons under 40.

We were disappointed that, in response to a query concerning ‘what can we do’ the answer was essentially to become informed. That is pretty broad and not much help.

I feel that to suggest an analysis of each of our representatives’ voting records as related to the Constitution and to our own sense of right and wrong and fairness would have been a worthwhile and usable suggestion. The possible unintended consequences that seem to lurk around so much Congressional efforts deserve exposure. Perhaps a web site could provide a convenient vehicle for interested parties to pursue pertinent evaluations of members of Congress.

Thanks for the viewing opportunity and for continuing to keep us all informed as to what is happening in the world

And this one from Art in California…

I saw I.O.U.S.A. in San Jose California

The theater was surprisingly filled for an boring dry financial flick most people would think? Obviously it was not and quit entertaining. I being a 5 reader and investor knew allot so I brought 5 members of my family who mostly don’t understand when I try to explain to them so this movie was for them. The rolling penny graphs over time were cool!

I know of several other people who wanted to see it but couldn’t. So the one night only at select theaters restricted your success, I imagine. Too bad Peter Schiff wasn’t on the panel. He would have set Warren Buffett’s whiskers on fire! Dave did well to drive the wooden stake though Warren’s Pollyanna heart. Warren’s not used to being questioned or over ridden in opinion I guess - he squirmed allot, Dave was serious!

Warren came off as “an aloof too rich for too long out of touch old guy”. I respect his savvy as being the best investor alive, but he’s shamefully out of touch on the crisis. His words were too deceptive but, like other readers said, he was too Pollyanna. Too bad he wasn’t drunk so he could have an excuse for his performance. Everyone I talked to said the same: his world is not ours.

This movie is a warning to the working man about to get stiffed on his paycheck, government over taxation and M3 monetary inflation in the near future. The public is angry and I’m sure we’ll see the waves come this November. All the best will be looking for the DVD. Everyone I know has nothing good to say about Washington or its leadership voids and frankly people here are ready for a revolution!

And, finally, some thoughts from Brandon from… er, somewhere in the country…

I’m only commenting on Mr. Buffett’s comments in detail, but the movie was good. I think he missed something crucial when he was reassuring the masses that we would all have our SUV’s in 2020. He said that China can’t dump the dollar so we shouldn’t worry.

Thank you Mr. Buffett, NOW I’m reassured.

Now can I ask what happens when China, rather than dumping the dollar for another currency, decides to buy resources or goods from America with all those dollars? It’s hard to feed 1.3 billion people.

What happens during a shortage of food, or anything else for that matter, when the Chinese just start buying whatever they’re short on from us in dollars? Prices go way up because they’re outbidding us and there are now more dollars floating around here in the states so we get an inflation double-whammy. So they buy rice, oil, wheat, steel and coal from us so they are still running and all we’re left with to burn and eat are little green pieces of paper.

Problem: my car doesn’t run on those and I don’t find them tasty.

P.S. If you missed the movie but are still interested in what all the fuss is about, click here to see where it’s playing this week. You can also check out the trailer right here.