In other words, the value of the national security asset we'd be giving up would far exceed the value of the debt we'd pay off by selling them. If you don't, I'm wasting my time. If you do, then you are tacitly admitting that there are some things more desirable than paying down the debt. You are tacitly admitting that, if debt is used to purchase or maintain an asset that is more valuable than the debt liability, it is desirable to keep the debt on the books rather than liquidate it. In other words, you are tacitly admitting that debt is a sound method of financing valuable assets.
Debt is a sound way to finance valuable assets and good investments.
I'm glad you agree with me now. So let's start asking some tougher questions whenever we hear somebody proposing to balance the budget or pay down the debt. We need to think carefully about the assets we'd be forgoing by doing so.