New to this season’s Sunday Movie Series, Democrats Abroad, Lake Chapala chapter has added a short post-movie discussion period. The initial discussion proved to be quite successful and comments were heard from those participating including, “We enjoyed the moderated discussion as much as the movie itself.”
The series began with the movie “Too Big to Fail,” an outstanding film built around the disastrous near-meltdown of the entire world’s financial system.
Leading the post-discussion was Paul Crist, an economist and business owner currently living in Puerto Vallarta who founded, directed and served on the boards of numerous non-profit organizations in the healthcare and health policy area. Following his opening comments he went on to answer audience questions. Among several insightful and balanced comments was his explanation of how the near collapse was brought on by de-regulation of the banking industry during several administrations under both political parties. He said that although no actual laws were broken, the ability of those in the financial industry to make inordinate sums of money at everyone else’s expense went on unchecked. Answering another question about why so many homeowners accepted the loans they really couldn’t afford, he said, that when those borrowers were convinced that they could afford them, because they thought the bankers knew best. One of his final comments addressed the failure of the major banks to actually lend out the money they had been given under TARP but instead they invested the taxpayers’ money in more lucrative foreign currencies. Had big banks invested in the U.S. economy, as was the intent of Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and others, the economy would have had a significantly more robust recovery.
Democrats Abroad will continue to facilitate post-movie presentations wherever possible and encourage movie attendees to join in and contribute to the lively discussions.
The second movie in the series is: “Freedom Writers,” based on a true story about a teacher who inspires “unteachable students.”
Showtime is Sunday, March 8, 1:30 p.m. at Cinemas del Lago, Theater 1, Bugambilias Plaza in Ajijic. Admission is 50 pesos per person at the box office. The public is welcome.
Net proceeds help fund the sponsoring organization’s voter registration program for all U.S. expats living at Lakeside, regardless of political affiliation. For more information, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
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