>>For instance, the United States might be seized by a military dictatorship at any moment. This has happened in many countries in the past. > >Before that could ever happen, he/she would be impeached. I cannot imagine this ever happening in the U.S. unless the U.S. crashed due to nuclear war first. Congress would remove the president first or standown the military. In the case of a disaster that would wipe out portions of our government, we have a clear line of authority that takes place when leaders are removed or killed. Also, everyone in the military works for the President. It is the only job in the U.S. (that I know of) that prevents you legally from demonstrating against the U.S. government or its leaders for political reasons. It is in the oath. Having said all of this, of course, anything COULD happen so the risk is always there however unlikely.
Well, other countries have constitutional safeguards, etc., as well - yet dictatorships have been known to take over. And the very fact that this has happened before in other countries makes it, how should I say, not completely unlikely.
Chris mentioned that the United States has had a stable government for more than 200 years. Unfortunately, most countries can't boast this of themselves.
One of my favorite authors says - I think it was in the book "Starship Troopers", that the question is not whether this sort of thing can happen or not, but what is done to prevent it. Possibly, enough is done in the United States to prevent it - I don't know enough to be sure.
Hilmar.
Difference in opinions hath cost many millions of lives: for instance, whether flesh be bread, or bread be flesh; whether whistling be a vice or a virtue; whether it be better to kiss a post, or throw it into the fire... (from Gulliver's Travels)
