Military, economic and foreign policy experts agree that one of the top national security threats is the national debt. As of Jan. 20, 2009, the publicly held debt was $6.31 trillion and the gross debt was $10.63 trillion. As of May 14, 2012, the publicly held debt was $10.92 trillion and the gross debt was $15.68 trillion.
A weakening global economy, a sluggish domestic economy and intransigence on the party of lawmakers to push through entitlement reform is endangering the ability of America to project strength and security around the globe.
Before his retirement, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen issued a somber warning:
“The most significant threat to our national security is our debt. And the reason I say that is because the ability for our country to resource our military — and I have a pretty good feeling and understanding about what our national security requirements are — is going to be directly proportional — over time, not next year or the year after, but over time — to help our economy.”
Admiral Mullen went on to say that:
“That’s why it’s so important that the economy move in the right direction, because the strength and the support and the resources that our military uses are directly related to the health of our economy over time.”







