Decapitating Congress-What would happen if a substantial number of Congressmen were killed?

Wall ST Journal ^ | June 4, 2003

[SJackson]

America's Founders were remarkably prescient about many things. But who can blame them for not anticipating a hijacked airplane diving at the U.S. Capitol?

That understandable oversight is why, in the wake of September 11, a bipartisan commission has been exploring how to ensure the continuity of government in case of another terrorist attack on Washington. Its objective is to help prepare for an orderly and legitimate transfer of government. The commission's first report -- on Congress -- will be released today. Reports on the Presidency and Supreme Court will follow.

[banjo joe]

1. See the Clancy novel.

2. We'd finally have a chance at term limits and ridding ourselves of the professional political ruling class.

[banjo joe]

The citizen-statesman concept might be reborn.

[PBRSTREETGANG]

Decapitating Congress-What would happen if a substantial number of Congressmen were killed?

Is this a variation of the old lawyer joke?

[oldironsides]

No comment on the pilot fish working in DC for life.

[chance33_98]

What would happen if a substantial number of Congressmen were killed?

Freedom?

[Stormyta]

The answer to this question is simply----who would notice?
All we have now is grandstanding by the democrats, so this would probably be a nice change.

[steve50]

We'd finally have a chance at term limits and ridding ourselves of the professional political ruling class.

The shadow government takes complete control under FEMA regulations and the pretense of a Republic is over.

[tdadams]

Decapitating Congress-What would happen if a substantial number of Congressmen were killed?

Beyond the initial celebration?

[theDentist]

Is this a variation of the old lawyer joke? Lets see if it plays....

16 dead Congressman are driving thru the back roads of Georgia when they happen upon a farmer and his beautiful daughter...

Four dead Congressmen are sitting in a bar when in walks a redneck....

There's 7 dead congressmen in a lifeboat with Marilyn Monroe....

29 dead congressmen join the Foreign Legion and are posted in a far away camp. Their only transport is an old camel named Hillary....

.... It could work....

[SW6906]

"The commission wants to keep the amendment simple (see proposed text nearby), so Congress has flexibility to make and amend the rules."

No, that is precisely what not to do. A Constitutional amendment regarding the makeup of our government needs to be absoutely cast in stone so that when it is needed, there is no political monkey business or wrangling amongst the parties to wrest control.

It's when they make it ambiguous and open to interpretation that the Democrats are able to bend it to their liking.

[steve50]

The states can handle things until congress can be re- appointed by state governments and then elected by voters. We don't need any more authority going to DC, they're power crazy enough as is.

[xkaydet65]

I would have the proposed amendment require the governors to appoint new members with the consent of the state legislatures. This keeps the decision making as close as possible to the people and places responsibility on officials who are answerable to the voters. The only restriction would be that districts must be represented by men and women of the same political party as they were before the Clancy Apocalypse.

[MarkT]

I agree wholeheartedly - whatever is done, be specific with no wiggle room and no ability for future courts to breath "life" into the document.

Why not provide that, once the defined test is met for "decapitation", the Gov. of each state shall appoint a Rep. (from the same party) who shall serve until an election can be held. Whether that person could run or not is problematic - I suggest not since the appointment itself would be the result of a catastrophic event and the individual should focus on the job at hand and not be running for election - also, it would just give the person appointed a leg up on the competition.

[ImpotentRage]

"The citizen-statesman concept might be reborn."

Wouldn't it be wonderful to return to the original concept?

[THE POLELOCK]

IF THEY WERE DEMOCRATS WHO CARES

[ko_kyi]

So they find themselves in Hell. Schumer says to Hillary "Oh no, I was afraid of this. Now we will roast in Hell for eternity."

Hillary says, "Yeah, but at least I get to be president."

[Illwind]

It would be a good start?