Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson considered the prospect of civilunrest while he pushed for September’s Wall Street bailout – evensuggesting martial law might be essential.
Pentagon resources and U.S. troops may be used if needed to quell protests and bank runs during an economic crisis, the U.S. Army War College’s Strategic Institute reported.
“Widespread civil violence inside the United States would forcethe defense establishment to reorient priorities in extremis to defendbasic domestic order and human security,” the War College study states.
Incidents of economic collapse, terrorism and disruption oflegal order could require deployment of forces within the U.S., itsaid.
A “strategic shock” could require the nation to use “military force against hostile groups inside the United States.”(In other words, patriotic angry citizens who know where to place the blame for the cause of an economic disaster and why. — Ed.)
International Monetary FundManaging Director Dominique Strauss-Kahn has warned that advancednations could face civil unrest during distressful economic times
“[S]ocial unrest may happen in many countries – includingadvanced economies” if the economic crises are not properly dealt with,Strauss-Kahn said.
“He added that violent protests could break out in countriesworldwide if the financial system was not restructured to benefiteveryone rather than a small elite,” London’s Guardian reported.
In a recession where consumer spending is plummeting,foreclosures are rampant, workers are losing jobs, credit is tight andmarkets are strained, some are warning about a worst-case scenario.
Last month, trends forecaster Gerald Celente told Fox News thatAmerica will morph into the first “undeveloped” nation of the world by2012. He said there will be a tax revolution marked by “food riots, squatter rebellion, tax revolts and job marches.” He also said by 2012, the holidays will be more about getting food rather than gifts.