Failed Nations are a bigger threat to the United States than Stable Nations

Con "America won the Cold War by protecting our strategic resources from the threat of foreign control. We must bring the same attitude to our trade relationship with China." – Jo Ann Emerson I agree with this quote by Jo Ann Emerson because it proves that Stable Nations are a large threat to the United States. Resolved: Failed Nations are a greater threat to the United States than Stable Nations. My partner and I disagree with the resolution because we feel that Stable Nations are a bigger threat to the United States than Failed Nations. It is for these two reasons: Stable nations are an environmental and financial threat to the United States, that my partner and I negate the resolution. Contention 1: Stable nations are a big environmental threat to the United States. Sub-point A: Chinas environmental degradation threatens the United States. According to a Green Peace study, "China is now by far the world's biggest driver of rainforest destruction. Nearly five out of every ten tropical hardwood logs shipped from the world's threatened rainforests are now heading for China - more than to any other destination." According to that same study "China is the world's leading consumer of four out of the five basic food, energy and industrial commodities - grain, meat, coal and steel. " That same study states, "If Chinas greenhouse gas emissions continue to remain uncontrolled, the growth of China's carbon dioxide emissions over the next 20 years will dwarf any cuts in CO2 that the rest of the world can make." According to a report by Volker Mrasek, "China's CO2 emissions will almost double in the next two decades compared with 2002 levels." Sub-point B: Russia is an environmental threat to the United States as well. According to the National Intelligence Council, "Over 200 cities exceed Russian pollution limits. The number of vehicles on the road has increased rapidly, and their emissions will offset reductions in industrial air pollution owing to reduced economic activity and greater reliance on natural gas." According to the same Council, "Hazardous waste disposal problems are extensive and growing. Russian officials estimate that about 200 metric tons of the most highly toxic and hazardous wastes are dumped illegally each year in locations that lack effective environmental or public health protections or oversight." Environmental problems such as air pollution, hazardous waste disposal, and deforestation caused by stable nations will cause a huge environmental threat to the United States. This is one way that Stable Nations are a bigger threat to the United States then Failed Nations. Contention 2: Stable Nations are a bigger financial threat to the United States. Sub-point A: Trade with stable nations is much harder than in failed Nations. According to Foreign Trade Statistics by the U.S. Census Bureau, "So far in 2009, the United States has imported 184,915.5 million dollars worth of goods from China alone. The United States has only exported 41,215.7 million dollars of goods to China." This proves that China exports more to the United States then they import from the United States, which causes the United States more money. The same is true for Russia. According to the U.S. Census Bureau again, "So far in 2009, the United States has imported 12,186.3 million dollars worth of goods from Russia. The United States has only exported 3,462.7 million dollars worth of goods to Russia." Sub-point B: China owns a big portion of the United States treasury. According to Paul R. La Monica from CNN News, "As of the end of July 2009, China owns $800.5 billion in U.S. Treasuries. That's up $24.1 billion, or 3%, from the prior month and follows a slight dip in China's holdings from May to June. China surpassed Japan as the largest holder of Treasury securities in September 2008, and over the past year, it has increased its stake in U.S. debt by 45%. If China suddenly decides that its appetite for Treasuries is sated, or worse, decides to start dumping a significant portion of its holdings, a big sale of Treasuries could cause longer-term interest rates to shoot up since bond prices and yields move in opposite directions." This proves that financially, stable nations are a much bigger threat then failed nations, which is the biggest threat that the United States can have. This shows that the United States has a much bigger threat from Stable Nations then it does from Failed Nations. Both environmentally and financially, stable nations are a bigger threat to the United States. For those reasons, I urge you to vote con. Thank You.