Is our national debt a threat to our national security? Why?

2014-12-15T03:21:50-05:00

Our country is in debt nearly $18 Trillion, and the US owes $6 Trillion to other foreign countries. I wonder if we're vulnerable to the lenders to a point where they could disrupt or cripple our economy and markets. Are we bank rolling China's military while ours is being reduced and defunded. Can I debt be leveraged against us in a power struggle with nations? What do you all think?

http://www.davemanuel.com/us-national-debt-clock.php

United States National Debt Clock

United States National Debt Clock September 2015 - The United States is currently trillions upon trillions of dollars in debt, and much more is expected to be added to their books over the coming years.

Response by SPC Phillip Ludlow made Dec 15 at 2014 3:29 AM

2014-12-15T03:29:43-05:00

I would say yes it is. the fact a foreign nation owns our debt ( china for example owns 8% of Americas total debt) creates a type of persona that we can neither control our own futures and that "Americas for sale"
http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/moneymatters/ss/How-Much-US-Debt-Does-China-Own.htm

How Much U.S. Debt Does China Own?

Find out how much U.S. debt China really owns. See what other foreign governments hold in American government-backed securities and investments.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 15 at 2014 3:34 AM

2014-12-15T03:34:09-05:00

Absolutely! This threat has been going on for approximately three decades. I remember reading an article back in the 1980's about Japan buying off our debt and whether or not that is considered a risk to our national security. Today, it's the Chinese buying off our debt. With a Debt of $18 Trillion and the Communist Chinese investing in the US, it's definitely a threat to our national security.

All seriousness aside, Our country's situation may result into doing something as dire as to the plot Americathon 1998, LOL!

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078766/

Americathon (1979)

Directed by Neal Israel. With John Ritter, Harvey Korman, Fred Willard, Chief Dan George. In a story told in narrative flashbacks, a young TV consultant is hired by the President of a bankrupt USA to organize a telethon in order to prevent the country from being repossessed by wealthy Native Americans.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Dec 15 at 2014 9:19 AM

2014-12-15T09:19:18-05:00

SFC Michael Jackson, MBA Yes, it is a threat. Mostly in how the debt will continue to grow, and payments on interest on the debt (non discretionary spending) becomes a greater percentage of overall expenditures, it crowds out larger percentages of discretionary spending. The debt is the only thing we spend money on that has no value, the immensely expanding expenditures on social security and medicare (also non-discretionary spending) at least relate to a service, rather than a usury for a past loan. Eventually this non discretionary spending will lead to very difficult decisions for our political leaders.

Thoughts, others interested in economics? Capt Private RallyPoint Member SSgt Rusty Baker 1SG Private RallyPoint Member

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 15 at 2014 10:53 AM

2014-12-15T10:53:07-05:00

I would say that it's the opposite, the Chinese gave us trillions of dollars to bank roll our military. The money that they could have . . . say . . . spent to arm their military with flying tanks. Or a better navy that they desperately want. (Navies are expensive)

The threat of the debt is not so much military, but international policy. Could China leverage the debt in order to tell the US to back off while it takes over islands just off southeast Asia?

Response by Cpl Mark McMiller made Mar 20 at 2016 10:48 PM

2016-03-20T22:48:34-04:00

Yes, we are very vulnerable. Google the term "Hyperinflation" and then google Germany after WWI and, more recently, Chile.