Last week it was reported that a number of major news organizations suffered a huge cyber attack. Authorities traced the attack back to a university in China and determined that it was state-sponsored. Apparently, the Chinese government doesn’t like its people to find out from Western news outlets that members of their leader’s family have amassed illicit personal fortunes.
So the US is gearing up its cyber-defenses, hiring a bunch of experts to guard against future attacks. But here’s what I think it should do instead – the next time a US treasury owned by China comes due, we don’t pay it. And when someone calls up to inquire about the payment, the conversation would go something like this:
China rep: “So where’s our payment?”
US rep: “I’m sorry sir, what payment?”
China rep: “Payment for the 2 billion in treasuries due this month.”
US rep: “Okay, let me take a look in our database here. Nope. It says you don’t have a payment due. Are you sure about this? How much did you say your government owns?”
China rep: “1.16 trillion!”
US rep: “That’s funny, cuz our records show that China doesn’t own any treasuries.”
China rep: “What!!!”
US rep: “Well sir, we keep getting hacked, which is such a pain in the ass. So maybe someone screwed with our records. Ya know, if that hacking stopped I’m sure we could figure this out. You said 1.16 trillion? Damn, that’s a lot of money to lose.”
China rep: “I want to talk to the Treasury Secretary!”
US rep: “I’m sorry sir, he’s out golfing with some Wall Street friends.”
When you owe as much money as the US does, you own your creditors. They become your slave. It’s something to keep in mind here.
So thanks to their government, the Chinese can’t get any information on the Khardashians from the internet? Lucky bastards.
I’m going to run with this Tom. My bank is not going to like it but sure I’ll try anything at this stage!
Does this work with credit card companies? Interesting approach.
Don’t a lot of countries also owe US money?
It might work if Americans were willing to risk it for higher priced electronics, clothes, shoes, luggage, etc. Of course we could move everything to India or the Phillipines