FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 23, 1995
Contact: Phil Smith (404) 584-0008
ATLANTA-- Citizens of Marietta would have been able to see exactly how fast the federal government is spending their hard-earned tax dollars, but city officials have refused to permit the Concord Coalition to bring its electronic debt clock scoreboard to town. Ironically, Marietta and Cobb county bask in federal funding, reaping per capita almost twice as many federal dollars as New York City [1], the "culture of waste" as termed by Georgia's own Speaker Newt Gingrich.
The Concord Coalition was officially refused a permit Friday by Marietta Parks & Recreation Official Wendy Johnson. She said that there "is no way" the city government would allow the display in Marietta Square or any other public park property regulated by her office, without obtaining strict governmental permission eight to nine weeks in advance. By contrast, the group obtained permission from state capitol officials with just one phone call, and only days in advance.
"It's a shame that Marietta is blockading the Concord Coalition's efforts to educate people about the US debt," said Phil Smith, Georgia Director of the non-profit, bipartisan group. "I contacted them as soon as the debt clock southern tour was announced. I never dreamed that Marietta City Government had debt-sympathizing bureaucrats."
The National Debt Clock has traveled to hundreds of towns and counties across America and never been denied access to a public area until it reached Marietta. "This marks an unfortunate first time for us," said Smith, "I'm ashamed that it happened in Georgia, much less the self-proclaimed family values town. I truly hope they change their mind before the debt clock leaves our area Wednesday."
Former US Senator Warren Rudman, Concord's National Co-chair, summed up the group's mission. He said, "Too many politicians are engaged in a conspiracy of silence born out of fear... fear that if they confront the problem honestly, they'll lose. What is required is a frank public discussion of the deficit to build support among the American people for some tough fiscal medicine."
The display is mounted on a twenty-five foot trailer and shows the dramatic second-by-second growth of the national debt, which currently stands at approximately $4.8 trillion and grows $9,600 per second. It also displays each American family's share of the debt, which now equals approximately $76,000 for a family of four. The debt clock can be seen Monday in Athens on College Square, and Tuesday on the west steps of the State Capitol during an 11:00 am press conference. Wednesday had been scheduled for Marietta Square.