Collection:LPB

Genre: Panel

Place Covered: Louisiana

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 2011-08-24

Duration: 00:56:30

Subjects: Filmed panel discussions | United States. Congress | Debts, Public | United States. Budget Control Act of 2011 | Social Security

Contributors:

• Courtney, Beth Host
• Goidel, Kirby Host
• Godoy, Al Producer
• Gautreaux, Kevin Producer
• Cross, Pearson Interviewee
• Crouere, Jeff Interviewee
• Narayanan, Rajesh Interviewee
• Vitter, David Speaker
• Landrieu, Mary Interviewee
• Jeansonne, Jim Speaker
• Key, Lydia Speaker
• Babb, Nathan Speaker
• Ajmera, Meena Speaker
• Blackford, Mikeal Speaker
• Miller, Isiah Speaker
• McQueen, Judy Speaker
• Beatty, William Speaker
• Price, De Ette Speaker
• Atkinson, Robert Speaker
• Carter, Remona Speaker
• Wilson, Violet Speaker
• Ducote, Reginald Speaker
• Fort, Ben Speaker
• Dominique, Alexis Speaker
• Westbrook, Scott Speaker
• Lane, Pat Speaker
• Killebrew, Derek Speaker
• Cassidy, Bill Panelist
• Stockley, Joshua Panelist
• Narayanan, Rajesh Panelist
• Barrett, Ross Panelist

This episode of the series “Louisiana Public Square” from August 24, 2011, features Kirby Goidel leading a discussion between the audience members and panelists on the national debt ceiling deal passed by Congress. A background report on the topic precedes the discussion. It includes interviews with: Dr. Pearson Cross, a political science professor at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette; Jeff Crouere, conservative talk show host; Dr. Rajesh Narayanan, a finance professor at LSU; and United States Senator Mary Landrieu. It also includes highlights of United States Senator David Vitter speaking on the Senate floor during the debate. The audience members then discuss their position on a balanced budget amendment, Social Security, budget cuts, and tax reform. A panel of experts then joins the audience to answer their questions. The panelists are: Congressman Bill Cassidy of Louisiana’s 6th Congressional District; Dr. Joshua Stockley, a political science professor at the University of Louisiana at Monroe; Dr. Rajesh Natayanan, a finance professor at LSU; and Ross Barrett, a managing general partner at BVM Capital. They discuss: the debt ceiling deal; the impact of the agreement on Louisiana; the economic impact of the deal; the future of federal entitlement programs, like Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid; the United States' dependence on borrowing money from foreign governments; government regulations; and job creation.