It’s a busy week, so I’ll leave you with one question.
If the American government collapsed tomorrow, leaving a power vacuum, what would you do? If someone told you this over the phone, and it had just happened, and anything could happen afterwards… how would you react?
I invite you to comment below. This could be a great conversation. It’s certainly an important one. Isn't it?
I don't know! I've been thinking about this, and I don't know. Right now, we have no groceries because of my mom's passing. We don't have many emergency supplies, and not much cash on hand. We're in bad shape for a governmental collapse!
ReplyDeleteMay your mother live forever in God's Kingdom.
ReplyDeleteWill money have any worth if the government collapses? Correct me if I'm wrong here. From what I understand, the value of the dollar is based on trust. Will that stand if the government that prints it goes under? On the whole, I'd be more worried about emergency supplies. And weapons. I bet that power vacuum would result in at least a few riots. Looters and more criminals, at the least.
Sean, in answer to your question, the dollar would be worthless. & every other "fiat" currency would be dragged down as well. In short, the vacuum created by the collapse of the US would have repercussions world wide. None of them very pretty.
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts exactly. My first move would be to secure my living space against attack. In the event of riot, or wanton looters, or invaders, I'd like to have whatever defense up that I can. And an evacuation plan for all non-combatants.
ReplyDeleteI'd also want a plan to run and hide in the mountains if the worst comes, and someone bad comes to power. But much of this depends on how much time between the fall of the government and the repercussions.
This is a strange question. Our government is designed with a long line of succession to avoid exactly this - a power vaccuum. Can you specify in what way you think we might 'collapse'?
ReplyDeleteIf you simply are referring to the economy, there wouldn't be a power vaccuum at all - just a much more humble standard of living. The president would still be president, the govenors would all still be govenors, etc. Difficult, yes. Maurauding invaders, no.
The way in which the collapse might happen was not my point. However, I am referring to a political collapse involving the death or political suppression of the members of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. The long line of succession I am aware of. This would be a catastrophe that would eliminate all of them, leaving no authority at the head of the United States of America.
ReplyDeleteMy purpose was now "how", but "if". If such a vacuum came into reality, what is best for an ordinary citizen to do?
A financial collapse could well lead to a political collapse including martial law, a Coup d'état &/or a dictatorship. We can't assume the US government or state governments as we know them would survivie a complete financial collapse.
ReplyDeleteIt could at that. Without money, I can think of only two things that would keep America government in check. One is that there are enough citizens willing to continue to listen to it, whether that be from loyalty or apathy. The other is our military.
ReplyDeleteCome to think of it, that would be the greatest test of our democracy. If it held through a financial collapse, would it hold because the citizens had faith in it, they were too apathetic to kill it, or were too scared to defy the military and kill it?
Hopefully I would have prepared for such an eventuality by making a large stash of guns and canned food.
ReplyDelete