NationStates Jolt Archive

I had a friend ask me an interesting question today. What would happen if everyone in the US Federal government, as in Congress, the Supreme Court and the Executive Branch all dissapeared in some way? We'll assume that Washington went up in a mushroom cloud or something, and for some reason not a single Congressman or other Federal official were there. What would happen then?

They would be replaced.

Now if the structure of the US Federal Government disappeared, you would get much more interesting results.

They would be replaced.

Now if the structure of the US Federal Government disappeared, you would get much more interesting results.

What exactly is the difference? If the DC were to be destroyed and every Federal official dead, what would happen?

Before or after the party?

My vision involves mexicans wearing sombreros on burros playing trumpets and whooping whilst riding through all of the major american cities shooting at the sky(:D hee hee hee..those crazy mexicans...)
Shortly after all of the republicans in the country rip off their masks, revealing their true form as a grotesque race of demon-frog hybrids with claws and tentacles. After 1 long week of diabolical laughter, they would join forces with the mexicans, enslave the american people, moderate their views, and take a permanent seat on the UN security council.

What would happen if the US Federal government disappeared?

We'd all be like "Hey. Where'd the government go?"

What exactly is the difference? If the DC were to be destroyed and every Federal official dead, what would happen?

There is a set system that would only need new people with which to fill the offices. I imagine that immediate elections would be held and officials would be replaced as soon as possible.

If the system were eliminated, you have a collection of states that are free to behave in any manner they wanted towards each other. It would completely restructure our travel, military, commerce, and many other aspects of our lives.

My vision involves mexicans wearing sombreros on burros playing trumpets and whooping whilst riding through all of the major american cities shooting at the sky(:D hee hee hee..those crazy mexicans...)
Shortly after all of the republicans in the country rip off their masks, revealing their true form as a grotesque race of demon-frog hybrids with claws and tentacles. After 1 long week of diabolical laughter, they would join forces with the mexicans, enslave the american people, moderate their views, and take a permanent seat on the UN security council.


Mmm...tacos... :)

The effect wouldn't entirely catastophic. The stse-level goverment would cushion the blow, since they and local goverments are the ones that control the police, national guard, and some taxes.
However, I do believe Virginia and Maryland would go to war with eact other, again.

Before or after the party?

Which one?

Which one?
:rolleyes:

My guess is the North and South would split. California would go on it's own. The rest of the west would break off. The midwest wouldn't be happy but they would be forced to stay with the NE for economic reasons.

A type of slavery or indentured servent would come back to the South, with a theocratic government. The west would break into a confederation. Possibly, the spanish areas would return to Mexico. The NE and California would remain about the same.

A type of slavery or indentured servent would come back to the South, with a theocratic government.
Let me guess. Never been to the South?

I had a friend ask me an interesting question today. What would happen if everyone in the US Federal government, as in Congress, the Supreme Court and the Executive Branch all dissapeared in some way? We'll assume that Washington went up in a mushroom cloud or something, and for some reason not a single Congressman or other Federal official were there. What would happen then?


The state governments would take there place without so much as a twitch. That is why if Washington is captured and or burned to the ground the US still exists....

Let me guess. Never been to the South?
Been all over the south, live in a "slave" state. The Civil War is still a topic of political discussion. There is a politically correctness, but deep down the segregation is still a major undertow. Go to a church, black or white, and show me how many of the "other" race attend.

The state governments would take there place without so much as a twitch. That is why if Washington is captured and or burned to the ground the US still exists....

Would it be the "US" that exists or the "State of Alabama' or "State of Wisconsin"?

Mmm...tacos... :)
Stop! LG! Don't succumb to their taco trap! Nooooooo LG NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooooooOOOOOOOOOoooooooooOOOoOOoOOooo

Been all over the south, live in a "slave" state. The Civil War is still a topic of political discussion. There is a politically correctness, but deep down the segregation is still a major undertow. Go to a church, black or white, and show me how many of the "other" race attend.
I learned from the movies that black people dance in church and white people fall asleep. Those racial division lines will never be breached.

Been all over the south, live in a "slave" state. The Civil War is still a topic of political discussion. There is a politically correctness, but deep down the segregation is still a major undertow. Go to a church, black or white, and show me how many of the "other" race attend.

There is that. In some areas of Georgia until recently, high schools used to even elect a black and a white homecoming queen. For all I know, they even may still do it. Some folks just aren't really interested in integration.

I'm not American, but from my scant understanding of American political structure, it would be likely that local and regional government would continue to function since the state-level structure seem to be responsible for local affairs anyway.

I'm inclined to rule out inter-state armed conflict, but a collective effort to rebulid a national level federal government may not be forthcoming because of underlying regional conflicts of interest.

I actually want to know if the less wealthier states get a federal subsidy.

After the celebrations taper off, the state governments would take over temporarily. A national capital would be re-established, possibly New York. The capital would be rebuilt, people here are very big on tradition. Once the economy begins to rebound, the states would have to run elections for the new House of Representatives, the new Senate, and the new White House. The judicial system would be taken over by the states until new judges are appointed.

Don't forget, this would also bring about a major collapse of your economy, and that effect would be felt all over the world. When the dollar bottoms out, it will drag every other country tied to it with us. China, India, Brazil and the European Union would replace the US as the major superpowers.

After the celebrations taper off, the state governments would take over temporarily. A national capital would be re-established, possibly New York. The capital would be rebuilt, people here are very big on tradition. Once the economy begins to rebound, the states would have to run elections for the new House of Representatives, the new Senate, and the new White House. The judicial system would be taken over by the states until new judges are appointed.

Don't forget, this would also bring about a major collapse of your economy, and that effect would be felt all over the world. When the dollar bottoms out, it will drag every other country tied to it with us. China, India, Brazil and the European Union would replace the US as the major superpowers.
Yes, except replace "superpower" with "semi-power."

With a new global Great Depression on our hands, there would be no superpowers. Only semi-powers.

And I think people are too optimistic when it comes to our system of government and its redundantabilities. Culture is a thin and fragile vineer(or however you spell that.) I would not be surprised if total anarchy were to erupt.

I had a friend ask me an interesting question today. What would happen if everyone in the US Federal government, as in Congress, the Supreme Court and the Executive Branch all dissapeared in some way? We'll assume that Washington went up in a mushroom cloud or something, and for some reason not a single Congressman or other Federal official were there. What would happen then?

According to some, everything would be right with the world.

Would it be the "US" that exists or the "State of Alabama' or "State of Wisconsin"?

Would probably fall into the days of old when we had a continental congress.

as the second post pointed out, the first asked two seperate and totaly distinct questions.

such structures do not dissappear easily or overnight. nor would a few well placed nukes and the dimise of even 100% of elected officials cause them to do so.

nontheless, the nonexistence of the u.s. federal government is an interesting and valid question, as it it quite possible the day will come when super power governments as we know them today will have ALL dissappeared entirely.

if it could be induced to vanish as if it had never existed, leaving the states on their own, each state would, defacto become soverign, and or join with other states to form regeonal soverignties.

how this would affect individuals living in them would depend uniquely opon whichever of the states they were.

and again depending, some thngs would chainge, some not, some for the better, some for the worse.

there would be no interstate highway fund, no regulation beyond the borders of each state or soverign regeon of interstate and even international commerce. no fcc. no icc. most states already have some sort of puc (public utilities commission), these would simple asume the roll now played by their federal equivelant.

the power corporatocracy has over soverign governments would be unfortunately that much greater. or would it? the other side of the coin is they wouldn't have the feds to back them up.

some states/regions might very well legalize marajuana, eleminate building codes, border patroles or even repeal rape laws. while just as many others would likely become even more draconian, even more tyrannicly dictatorial then today's defoctoly corporatocracy run central government.

i guess what i'm trying to say it all boils down to is that there would be no completely good or bad thing about it. just mostly another rolling on down the road as the human body politic goes right on doing.

there are a lot of interesting chainges that would come about eventualy as a resault of this having happened though. a lot more so then any of the more immediate ones.

=^^=
.../\...

My guess is the North and South would split. California would go on it's own. The rest of the west would break off. The midwest wouldn't be happy but they would be forced to stay with the NE for economic reasons.

A type of slavery or indentured servent would come back to the South, with a theocratic government. The west would break into a confederation. Possibly, the spanish areas would return to Mexico. The NE and California would remain about the same.

I agree that states would break off, but I think that states bordering each other would stick together, such as the great lake states. But I do not see slavery returning.

Now keep in mind that this could only happen if people were to not panic. Even though nobody likes this government, many people would go nuts because there isn't that entity to tell them what to do.

The state governments would take there place without so much as a twitch. That is why if Washington is captured and or burned to the ground the US still exists....

I do not think the US would stay as one entity for long after DC is vaporized. Idaho has wanted to break off for a long time, and we all know what happened when the south wanted to become independant. With the US gov't gone, there would be nobody to tell the states what they can and can't do.

And it is written somewhere that a state can secede, if there are enough people in that state who vote to secede; but the gov't feels that it can tell you what to do. It is because of the gov't saying that state laws mean nothing compared to federal laws, that will cause the states to break off and not stay a part of the USA, and I say 'good for them.'

I'm not American, but from my scant understanding of American political structure, it would be likely that local and regional government would continue to function since the state-level structure seem to be responsible for local affairs anyway.

I'm inclined to rule out inter-state armed conflict, but a collective effort to rebulid a national level federal government may not be forthcoming because of underlying regional conflicts of interest.

I actually want to know if the less wealthier states get a federal subsidy.

You may be right, but the regional conflicts of interest may be a conflict with the gov't that had just fallen. How many states that allow medical marijuana like the idea that the feds can come in and arrest the people that those states are trying to help? I believe that many states would be quick to decide that it would be unwise to reinstate the same federal government, and instead become a country on their own. Think of all of the farmers that could now grow their crops because they are no longer paid to not grow crops.

I would take over and ransom off some of the more popular members that "disappeared" to help further fund my global domination effort.

What would happen if everyone in the US Federal government, as in Congress, the Supreme Court and the Executive Branch all dissapeared in some way? What would happen then?
Worldwide chaos ... for decades.

I guess this occured before CNN.com existed (saying that makes me feel old O_O), but the US Federal Government did stop functioning for a while back in 1995 becausee the GOP tried to force its budget past the President. Clinton refused to sign it and simply shut down the federal government.
Anyway, if the US Federal Government ceased to exist I would say the result depended on the actions of the formerly United States. They would vary from global chaos for some time (Good 'ol Eut :P) to almost nothing. Regardless, the economy would take a hit around the world and its possible that Oregon would be forced to form its own country, but we would have to annex one of our former protectorates in order to avoid having to produce 49 star flags.

Before or after the party?

Who said this party would ever end?:D

Worldwide chaos ... for decades.
Exactly. Thank you Eutrusca, I can't believe why nobody has suggested this but him until now - there would be a power vacuum, "chaos on a grand scale" to quote Mao Tse-Tung, not only on a domestic level should Washington D.C. go up in a nuclear inferno and taking with the D.C. residents every Federal Government official, but on a global level as well. While I'm not an American, what I can guess is, should the Federal Government of the United States be destroyed (the officials running it, not the system itself), the huge power vacuum that'd occur would be too drastic for the state governments to handle, and given the fact that some foolish people would take advantage of the situation by trying to make a name for themselves, things fall to darkness and...I think one can figure out the rest.

And it is written somewhere that a state can secede, if there are enough people in that state who vote to secede; but the gov't feels that it can tell you what to do. '
States can't secede. That was decided by the Civil War. Texas can split into several states under the agreement when it became a state. States cann't trade land without the permission of both states and the Feds. This has been done a few times when rivers changed course, but most river border states have land on both sides of the river. Carter Lake IA is on the Nebraska side of the river.

Think of all of the farmers that could now grow their crops because they are no longer paid to not grow crops.
This hasn't happened for a generation. Farm exports are about the only thing that keeps the trade deficit even close. We need all the crops we can export.

I had a friend ask me an interesting question today. What would happen if everyone in the US Federal government, as in Congress, the Supreme Court and the Executive Branch all dissapeared in some way? We'll assume that Washington went up in a mushroom cloud or something, and for some reason not a single Congressman or other Federal official were there. What would happen then?
I'll tell you one thing: the Bible Belt would be FUCKED. Without Blue state tax dollars, their infrastructure would crumble.

If the federal system of the USA disappeared I doubt that there would be a rapid response to reinstate it, not because the people are opposed to it, but because the newly sovereign leaderships of the 50 states would be reluctant to resign that power (as every recipient of sudden power is uneager to relinquish it).

However, in the fullness of time, it is probable that a second wave of unions may sweep the continent, but smaller and more consensual (the United States of New England perhaps, or maybe the Federal Republic of Dixie), unlike the original union which increased its number through economic arm-twisting, colonisation and armed compulsion.

On a lighter note: lolz, m3xic0 wud pwn T3Xa5!!1!one

Originally Posted by Eutrusca
Worldwide chaos ... for decades.

While it isn't quite the same as the government going by-by for good, the federal shutdown several years ago kind of suggests one possiblity; nothing will happen. For the most part, no one at the time, other than government workers, noticed a damned bit of difference. Twas awfully nice and quiet while they were closed..........

My vision involves mexicans wearing sombreros on burros playing trumpets and whooping whilst riding through all of the major american cities shooting at the sky(:D hee hee hee..those crazy mexicans...)
Shortly after all of the republicans in the country rip off their masks, revealing their true form as a grotesque race of demon-frog hybrids with claws and tentacles. After 1 long week of diabolical laughter, they would join forces with the mexicans, enslave the american people, moderate their views, and take a permanent seat on the UN security council.

No, you mean the Democrats. The Republicans would take control of the military and start slaughtering all the Mexicans. The Democrats would turn into monsters and eat random people.

Iraq would collapse into Civil War since the US Military's Authority would disappear.

I'll tell you one thing: the Bible Belt would be FUCKED. Without Blue state tax dollars, their infrastructure would crumble.
And yet it's the Red state spongers that bitch the most about taxes.

world peace?

I had a friend ask me an interesting question today. What would happen if everyone in the US Federal government, as in Congress, the Supreme Court and the Executive Branch all dissapeared in some way? We'll assume that Washington went up in a mushroom cloud or something, and for some reason not a single Congressman or other Federal official were there. What would happen then?
2 things
1. I dance and pee myself in joy
2. States declare homerule and secede.

I do not think the US would stay as one entity for long after DC is vaporized. Idaho has wanted to break off for a long time, and we all know what happened when the south wanted to become independant. With the US gov't gone, there would be nobody to tell the states what they can and can't do.

And it is written somewhere that a state can secede, if there are enough people in that state who vote to secede; but the gov't feels that it can tell you what to do. It is because of the gov't saying that state laws mean nothing compared to federal laws, that will cause the states to break off and not stay a part of the USA, and I say 'good for them.'


Remember though that the US constitution was written when there was no effective Federal Government. All states would in my opinion still be held by it. I know it's fun to think of what if's. But in all honest opinion the vast majority of US citizens still realize that being united has a distinct advantage. Also remember that the economy would not collapse. The reason being that the US banks would issue currency like they did before the Federal reserve did. In fact I might think that there would be an economic boom in most states. Especially in the more well off areas.

Chaos most likely.

Would it be the "US" that exists or the "State of Alabama' or "State of Wisconsin"?


US constitution still is valid. See war of 1812 as an example.

Only technically. It wouldn't be long before the states began to form alliances of protection among themselves.

I'll tell you one thing: the Bible Belt would be FUCKED. Without Blue state tax dollars, their infrastructure would crumble.

No they wouldn't. Figure in the price of farm products would soar. The midwest would become fairly wealthy indeed. Remember everyone has to eat. I would assume that outside of California, most blue states with some exception do not produce enough food for themselves.

No they wouldn't. Figure in the price of farm products would soar. The midwest would become fairly wealthy indeed. Remember everyone has to eat. I would assume that outside of California, most blue states with some exception do not produce enough food for themselves.
Thus cartels could form, and by seceding, they could have full control over their production and prices.
Imagine the bible belt going Farm Corpratist
*Shudder*

I had a friend ask me an interesting question today. What would happen if everyone in the US Federal government, as in Congress, the Supreme Court and the Executive Branch all dissapeared in some way? We'll assume that Washington went up in a mushroom cloud or something, and for some reason not a single Congressman or other Federal official were there. What would happen then?

federal law enforcement agencies would probably take over inciting riots and the end of the us as we know it. or maybe just a galvanising of the us as we know it in terms of draconian immigration/customs stance and sociopathis foreign policy.

Bad things would happen but i wouldnt mind getting rich.:D

federal law enforcement agencies would probably take over inciting riots and the end of the us as we know it. or maybe just a galvanising of the us as we know it in terms of draconian immigration/customs stance and sociopathis foreign policy.
Uh, you realize that the federal authorities would have lost their command structure in this situation, while the local authorities wouldn't have right?

I'll tell ya what would happen. I would finally be able to rise up and take over this country myself.

And I'd keep the 3 branches of government too. I'd be the executive, my older cousin the legislative and my younger cousin the judicial. Some people say thats an oligarchy. I call it just making things easier.

Uh, you realize that the federal authorities would have lost their command structure in this situation, while the local authorities wouldn't have right?

they'd have lost their political and executive power structure and probably alot of central admin but think of how many coups have been led by colonels. they're like the middle management of the armed forces and the police and federal law enforcement are best placed to take control because they have the contacts on the ground and the nationwide infrastructure.

Canada and Mexico would annex the United States.

US constitution still is valid. See war of 1812 as an example.

wouldn't the constitution be destroyed if Washington was destroyed? And who would enfore it?

wouldn't the constitution be destroyed if Washington was destroyed? And who would enfore it?

There are enough copies to know what it says. You don't need the original for it to be in force. Who would enforce it? The states most likely would. Now you do understand that the state constitution takes over if for whatever reason the Federal Constitution doesn't. The vast majority of state constitutions mirror with some additions to the Federal Constitution. The American government system is layered in such a way for redundancy.

Canada and Mexico would annex the United States.

Hell would freeze over first....

Bad things would happen but i wouldnt mind getting rich.:D
Might be like the French Revolution and all the rich get fitted for a smaller cap.

Hell would freeze over first....
LOL! :D

Take the Federal goverment away and our gargantuan Corporate entities would take over the world in a way that would make Stalin, Mao and Hitler only dreamed.

It wouldn't be like the old Coke and Pepsi war either fighting for best taste, now it would be the Coca Cola Armies versus the Pepsi armed militia for control of African natural resouces.

oops

Take the Federal goverment away and our gargantuan Corporate entities would take over the world in a way that Stalin, Mao and Hitler only dreamed.

Take the Federal goverment away and our gargantuan Corporate entities would take over the world in a way that would make Stalin, Mao and Hitler only dreamed.

It wouldn't be like the old Coke and Pepsi war either fighting for best taste, now it would be the Coca Cola Armies versus the Pepsi armed militia for control of African natural resouces.

Nah. Most of the other countries are more socialist than the US. Without US support, most of those, "international," corporations would be nationalised peacemeal.

The state governments would take there place without so much as a twitch. That is why if Washington is captured and or burned to the ground the US still exists....
Suppose the state govermonts dissapeard (sorry arnie)? Would there be no US then?

We'd go crawling on our knees to England, France, and Spain with some sob story about how we tried to give it a go on our own, but just couldn't make it in the end and would they please, please, please take us back.

Either that, or Letila would jump on the opportunity and become Dictator.