WASHINGTON, Aug. 20 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On Tuesday, August 25th, United States Senator Susan Collins will join The Concord Coalition's Robert L. Bixby, the Honorable David M. Walker of The Peter G. Peterson Foundation, William Marshall of The Progressive Policy Institute and Stuart Butler of The Heritage Foundation for a presentation of The Concord Coalition's Fiscal Wake-Up Tour in Kennebunkport, Maine.

The Fiscal Wake-Up Tour is a public education initiative focusing on the country's long-term fiscal challenges. The Tour aims to explain in plain terms why budget analysts of diverse perspectives are increasingly alarmed by the nation's fiscal outlook. The Fiscal Wake-Up Tour has been profiled in "60 Minutes" and a recent documentary entitled I.O.U.S.A.

"One thing that Democrats and Republicans can agree on is that our nation's current fiscal policy is not sustainable over the long-term. Our children's economic future is at risk, which is something no one wants. Changing course will require hard choices such as scaling back future entitlement promises, increasing revenues to pay for them, or -- most likely -- a combination of both. Because these choices are politically difficult, the active involvement of the American people is critical. Without greater understanding of the problem among the public, community leaders, business leaders and home state media, elected leaders are unlikely to break out of their comfortable partisan talking points and unlikely to find solutions," said Robert L. Bixby, Executive Director of The Concord Coalition

"The nationwide Fiscal Wake-Up Tour aims to cut through the usual partisan rhetoric and stimulate a more realistic public dialogue on what we want our nation's future to look like, along with the required trade-offs. As demonstrated by the most recent election results, voters are tired of partisan gridlock. This gives both parties an opportunity and a duty to begin working together on the real problem we face. Ensuring a sound fiscal future for our children should certainly be high on their list," Bixby said.

What: Fiscal Wake-Up Tour

WHO: United States Senator Susan Collins

Honorable David M. Walker, President and CEO of The Peter G. Peterson Foundation, former Comptroller General of the United States

Robert L. Bixby, The Concord Coalition

Will Marshall, Progressive Policy Institute

Stuart M. Butler, The Heritage Foundation

WHEN: Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Noon - 12:30 PM -- Lunch

12:30 PM - 2:00 PM -- Discussion

Where: Nonantum Resort

95 Ocean Boulevard

Kennebunkport, Maine

This event is free and open to the public. Due to high demand, reservations are no longer being taken for the event, but limited seating will be available on a first come-first serve basis.

This stop of the Fiscal Wake-Up Tour will also be streamed live on The Concord Coalition's website beginning at 12:30 Eastern Time. To access the live stream, go to www.concordcoalition.org.

The Concord Coalition is a nonpartisan, grassroots organization dedicated to balanced federal budgets and generationally responsible fiscal policy. Former U.S. Senators Warren B. Rudman (R-NH) and Bob Kerrey (D-NE) serve as Concord's co-chairs and former Secretary of Commerce Peter G. Peterson serves as president.

SOURCE The Concord Coalition