Election hysteria.

When the helmet's down, it means I have to keep all of my nutty opinions to 
myself. I'm going to add a few cents to the election postponing debate, even 
though Deforest Soaries swears it won't happen.

A couple of questions:

Why talk about this now?  Why not two years ago?  I mean, having an election 
is not a surprise event.  

If a nationwide election is postponed out of fear, or even an actual attack, 
what is to prevent another attack at the later date?

On one hand, the members of the Bush administration have a definite interest 
in retaining control and rallying America to further combat against non-state 
actors.  Keeps the population under control; cuts to social programs in favor 
of war, at least in the short term, can be justified 
by the need to protect the homeland; makes multinational corporations rich.

On the other, I feel like Alice down the rabbit hole, considering a crazy 
world where a moron and his handlers would manipulate the entire system to 
remain in power by any. means. necessary.


As for Bush retaining power beyond the end of his term, no election being 
held...Amendment XX states that the term of the President and V.P. will end on 
the 20th of January.  If a President and Vice President elect have failed to 
qualify (no election, or an incomplete one), then 'Congress may by law provide 
for the case wherein neither...have qualified, declaring who shall act as 
President...'

Congress has provided legislation to take care of the succession question. 
Title 3, Sec. 1, Chapter 19 outlines the familiar chain of command many of us 
have seen in movies or on tv.  First comes Speaker of the House, then 
President Pro Temp of the Senate, on down to the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs. 

Does the existence of this statute invalidate the claim Bush and Co. 
could stage a coup?  Well, yes and no. There are many in Congress who would be 
loathe to change these laws for any reason, especially for Bush.  But I could 
also envision a scenario in which the election is postponed by a 
massive attack in October, then another around Christmas, and we roll on into 
the end of January...and we get President Hastert, who declares a state of 
emergency. He could argue he is not qualified to lead us, and the only person 
who can stand up to these bullies has been pushed out by Constitutional 
limitations. If there is enough pressure, enough pain and hysteria, Congress 
can be confused into putting Bush back into office.  Congress decides. 

Of course, I don't think this will happen.  I've also never been to law 
school, so if anyone else is better informed, please say something.

-x
--
If we don't have another election, them liberals can't say we stole it.
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