I think you seriously overestimate our govt’s ability to do such a thing. Yes they have plans, but plans and real world logistics are two different things. We’ve had localized disasters like Katrina and the response has been pathetic.
We have very very few combat forces like the Marines and the 10th to do serious warfare. Federal forces are SWAT trained and not ready for an organized counteroffensive not in a contained killzone. What you envision would require forces to be spread out so thin that the armed population would overwhelm them. Not to mention the supply logistics would be a nightmare. Drones, even armed ones have limitations and real actual air support would be kept to very high priority situations.
There are also the governors. If the states don’t play ball, it’s over. Citizen defense groups will be counterorganized and implemented. A couple of dozen federale rambo wannabes traveling down a road won’t have a prayer.
Not to mention that shutting down the country means that the govt has no revenue. They can print all the money they want, it doesn’t matter if no one will take it or there’s nothing to buy with it. Sure you can seize assets but troops are only going to stay so long without pay, particularly if their families are starving.
The only truly dangerous situation would be a bank run. That could shut it all down near instantly. If that happens people will starve, then maybe after that the govt would have more ability to control.
As I said to GeorgiaGirl2, I pray you are correct.
If they could shut the country down w/a bank run, but not by interdiction, why would they be concentrating on physical means?
Do you really believe they wouldn’t arrest and imprison the Governors, if necessary, or worse? In WI, AZ and FL, they would have the support of at least 30% of the civilian population.
Natural disaster response isn’t the same as tight centralized control over commodities, transport and infrastructure. We are talking here about people who have openly said they want total power and control and that the population needs to be reduced. After saying this, writing EOs, passing horrid laws and even worse regulations, zer0 still has 49%-50% who somewhat approve of his administration.
I do not think a rebel force would be superior in organization or have even equal strength in arms. Logistics? Cargo air and parachute drops beat local roads, especially with checkpoints, aerial surveillance and control of manufacturing. The Feds and the States have caches already positioned. Do the same, be detected and you are imprisoned or perhaps killed in the process.
I think our rulers have commodities of all sorts and would sell US land assets and mineral rights to foreigners in a nanosecond. I think it would be like Syria writ large and not one other nation would help us. In fact, they would line up to be paid off to help destroy us. Guarantee a military force food and medicine for themselves and their dependents and they will take that in lieu of pay, if necessary.
A couple of dozen federale wanna-be rambos?? Against how many well-trained, supplied and supported rebels? Probably the same number, less training, less well-fed and less supported. Are the rebels going to occupy and hold territory against aerial assets or WMD? Limited is one thing. A monopoly on the high ground is another. What sorts of perimeters could a rebel force maintain, for how long, against what opposition?
Our plans will be toast as soon as the first shot is fired, just like theirs. I also think all of us have watched too many David & Goliath-type movies. I would expect more AWOL forces to go rogue and fight in their own behalf to set up warlord enclaves than to join the rebels. And I am certain the gangs would be in it for themselves and not care at all about civilians. They would be federal or state mercs, if necessary, while plotting to take over themselves.
Like civil disobedience, a lot of the suppositions put forth are predicated on an enemy with some degree of compassion, subject to population approval and obeying civilian law as we have known it. This lot would change the laws, as they already have. They have a loyal civilian following and have already demonstrated a lack of compassion.
If it happens (and I hope it doesn’t), there will be a lot of blood spilled and we will still lose. I think it will end up as a dictatorship for at least one generation. Yes, we can wage asymmetric war forever, but that isn’t the same as regaining freedom and liberty.
Again, I pray it doesn’t come to this and if it does,that you are right.