thanks for the ping, sadly, I agree.
6. the possibility of retaliation against members of Congress for the collapsesI have to wonder if this is part of the reason for the delay of the "Stress Test" -- to get final affairs in order, with this (or something similar) as the Trigger ...7. the location of "safe facilities" for members of Congress and their families to reside during expected massive civil unrest
Be cautious of a more powerful Executive Branch as a result of any collapse. I see parallels of how Hitler came to power after the burning of the Reichstag (German Parliament) Building in 1933.
I can see scenarios where BHO (and Rahm) could exploit an economic collapse to their advantage. Obama could very easily step into any artificially-created "power vacuum," given the right conditions...