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America: Heading for Tyranny and Impoverishment - by Stephen Lendman
It's present, hardening, and threatening to subvert all constitutional and social rights. Among others, three previous articles discussed the danger, accessed through the following links:
The first article covered post-9/11 police state laws, Executive Orders, Military Orders, as well as National and Homeland Security Presidential Directives (NSPDs and HSPDs). It addressed George Bush granting himself "Unitary Executive" authority to govern extrajudicially (a virtual dictator) in the name of national security, though no constitutional provisions permit it.
The second article discussed "Continuity of Government (COG)" authority under declared national or catastrophic emergency conditions, defined as:
"any incident (such as a terrorist attack), regardless of location, that results in extraordinary levels of mass casualties, damage, or disruption severely affecting the US population, infrastructure, environment, economy, or government functions."
COG is then defined as:
"a coordinated effort within the Federal Government's executive branch to ensure that National Essential Functions continue to be performed during a Catastrophic Emergency."
In other words, COG authority gives the president and DHS unprecedented police state powers to declare martial law without congressional approval, and be able to rule extrajudicially, free from constitutional constrains. It also lets the vice-president assume dictatorial powers:
"implemented in a manner that is consistent with, and facilitates effective implementation of, provisions of the Constitution concerning succession to the Presidency or the exercise of its powers, and the Presidential Succession Act of 1947 (3 U.S.C. 19), with consultation of the Vice President and, as appropriate, others involved. Heads of executive departments and agencies shall ensure that appropriate support is available to the Vice President and others involved as necessary to be prepared at all times to implement those provisions."
COG authority is renewed annually. Obama did it twice and will again in September, letting him govern dictatorially if he chooses.
The third article discussed how complicit Democrats and Republicans plan to destroy America's social contract to transfer maximum wealth to corporations and super-rich elites. Obama's out in front arranging it in dirty back room deals. It's a take the money and run scam, hollowing out America and impoverishing millions in the process.
Now a new threat. Paul Craig Roberts mentioned it in his article headlined, "Debt Ceiling Intransigence: Unintended Consequences," saying:
The current debt ceiling/budget cutting debate conceals a hidden issue - namely, that if resolution isn't achieved, Obama can use extrajudicial "presidential directives and executive orders in place, put there by (Bush to) declare a national emergency, suspend the debt ceiling limit, and continue to issue Treasury debt. This is exactly what would happen" to avoid default. If it occurs, it would create "a crisis beyond anything the world has ever seen."
