The Bush deficit and sovereignty

[Frumious B]

(I posted this as a reply to another thread in LBN, but I think it's possibly worth discussing in its own right.)

I've been pondering an angle that the Democrats can use to trump the Republicans on the whole sovereignty issue that Bush used in the campaign, claiming that Kerry would give foreign countries a veto over American security and such. What percentage of the national debt is owed to foreign interests? What is the actual dollar figure that the United States owes to outsiders?

If it's a high enough percentage and dollar figure then the Dems could easily use those numbers to play on voters' xenophobic tendencies and make the case that owing so much money to foreign nationals does, in effect, give them a veto over American policy. It could be portrayed as "George Bush and the Republicans auctioning off America." Voters don't traditionally seem to get too excited about the deficit as a campaign issue, but that might be a way to raise it that would get their attention and also deflect a Republican charge that is bound to come up again and again in future races for Congress, Senate and President.

It should also be pointed out that it doesn't matter how large a tax cut Bush gives you if the dollar keeps tanking because of the deficit and prices keep going up until the currency is worthless. Why don't the Democrats hammer these issues?

(Edited for freakish spelling)

[molly]

1. I think China owns 40% of us

[BonjourUSA]

5. YES ! and China with Japan stopped to buy on the market

Quid about $ like international trade currency soon ?

[Radio-Active]

2. good idea..

but the election is over.

[Frumious B]

4. Hopefully, there will be more elections...

and what's to stop the Republicans from bringing up the same issue over and over in virtually all federal government level races if the Democrats don't have a devastating counterattack ready to fire back?

[Strawman]

3. That's an excellent way to frame the issue

Calling the deficit the "birth tax" is another one. I heard somewhere that the cost of the deficit is about $100,000 on every baby born today.

Maybe the "fetus tax" is an even better frame since the other side seems to like fetuses alot better than actual babies.

[BluesInARedState]

7. 'Birth tax' is a good counter phrase to the CON's death tax baloney

everyone dies, yet hardly one's family will pay a cent of taxes. Every citizen will pay for China owning the mortgage on USA.
I wish I knew more details about this issue.
Sure sounds like the communists will have the last laugh on us.



(been lurking for a year, time for me to get posting!)

[Strawman]

8. Birth Tax paid to China. Love it. Even better imagery!

Run a commerical with toddlers handing checks for $100,000 to some dude that looks and dresses like Mao.

Or have a commercial with toddlers complaining about Bush saddling them with taxes. Show a little boy and little girl playing house, one gets the mail and it's a $100,000 bill from the IRS!

[molly]

6. kick - this is just plain scarey

[gratuitous]

9. Not to mention

That our troops in Iraq are apparently being ordered about by Mr. Allawi and his government. At least, that's the current fiction coming out of Iraq, that U.S. troops are merely carrying out the wishes of the sovereign Iraqi government.

Because otherwise, we're just blowing the bejesus out of the country for no reason and with no legal justification. I don't have any discernible respect for Crisco Johnny, but it may be that he sees the U.S. in an untenable legal position, and wants to skedaddle before a duly constituted war crimes tribunal can be convened.