China Does NOT own the United States

I keep hearing people make the false statement that China owns the U.S. because we owe them.  Most people can only point to comedians as their source when making erroneous statement about the U.S. debt.  For example, I got the following comment from the comment section of a news article: 

“Jay Leno had it right. Remember that China holds much of America's national debt. 
"When you get behind on your rent, next thing, the landlord shows up."

Also, the following article is a quote from Jay Leno:

"According to reports, Apple now has more cash on hand than the U.S. government. Which sounds impressive until you realize that Radio Shack has more cash on hand... Actually, the big difference between Apple and the government is that their stuff is made in China, while we're owned by China. Two different things." –Jay Leno

Here is the truth: The United States borrows most of its money from itself, a large percentage of which is borrowed from the United States Social Security trust fund.  The U.S. owns 53% of the U.S. public debt.  China only owns 8% of total US public debt (the debt we owe to china has been decreasing since 2010).  The United States public debt is 69.4% of our GDP ($15.16 trillion) which is a lower percentage than 31 other countries.  The following countries have a public debt percentage higher than the United States: Zimbabwe, Japan, Saints Kitts and Nevis, Greece, Lebanon, Iceland, Antiqua and Barbuda, Jamaica, Italy, Singapore, Ireland, Barbados, Portugal, Sudan, Belgium, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Egypt, France, Belize, Canada, Hungary, Germany, United Kingdom, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Dominica, Saint Lucia, Bahrain, Israel, Austria, Nicaragua.   

A line should be drawn when it comes to making jokes that are false about our nation’s economic status.  The Constitution does not protect those knowingly making false statements.  I am assuming that the comedians do not know how the U.S. economy actually works.  So, if being uninformed is the case they should not make jokes about things they don’t understand.  All it takes is a simple Google search to make sure that their jokes are not way off base.  Comedians need to realize their influence on the American people and take responsibility for the fact that they are swaying the public and our elections.  And that fact is no laughing matter.