What If: World ravaged by nuclear war. YOU are in charge of rebuilding the US.
 

Not sure if this belongs in Tilted Politics. If its not, feel free to move it. Its a sort of theoretical exercise I want to try. Consider the following situation:

Its the year 2010. Exactly three years after nuclear war left the world in shambles. The human race carries on, but in a matter of days was thrown back hundreds of years into the pre-industrial days. There are no telephones, no internet, no electricity.

The States that still exist are no longer the United States, and each is a separate entity of its own. Extremist groups in the South are attempting to reunite the old Confederate states, complete with slavery, and have a growing support from the displaced and disowned ex-Americans. The original thirteen states are trying to recreate an organized union as well, but petty bickering and guilt are holding them back.

You were chosen by your state to represent it in the drafting of a new national constitution (which state is up to you). Will you follow in the footsteps of the original Constitutional Committee? How will you stop the extremist influence in the south? How will you create a new, better America? What should be hard-coded into the national constitution, and what should be open for change and evolution?

Describe your thoughts about rebuilding this country from scratch.

Kinda' a nice "what i"f scenario but I think you need to do a little research on slavery - who instituted it - who profitted from it, and why it was a dying institution long before the Civil War. While you're at it you might look at what caused the Civil War and over what issues there was disagreement - States rights and the differing views on interpretatation of the US Constitution regarding state's rights were the issue - not slavery. You might also look at what was laughingly referred to as "Reconstruction"- while you're at it look at the Reparations Act that followed WWI - and compare both of these to WW II's Marshall Plan. There are ways to rebuild things, and then there is pure vengence and revenge. Just depends on which ultimate result you're after.

Liquor, you are absolutely correct, but I am not reconstructing US history. I am trying to construct a possible future scenario. All this stuff I am writing about has never happened. Don't treat this as a historically-accurate analysis of our past, but rather a script to a movie or a weird dream.

Here's some clarification on the tricky points:

- The extremist groups existed long before the nuclear war, its just that after the destruction, and because of general unrest, they gained influence. What I have in mind is the general neo-nazi stereotype, whose leaders are those typical hollywood bad guys with diplomatic immunity. These are the guys in charge of the mobs, and now hold more legitimate offices.

- There is no slavery AT all right now, but the aforementioned groups have attempted several pogroms against non-whites and Jews, and yell pro-slavery slogans.

- The goals are the following:
1)Reunite the original 13 states
2)Settle the differences with the new South
3)Diffuse the nazi threat.
4)Lay the groundwork for a new fully-united America, so that the past is not repeated (or repeated.. depending on your opinions).
5)Extra credit: Get Canada :D

I would go check if I had enough water chips.

I would make it a colony of Australia.:D

1) Call another Constitutional Convention, sit 'em all down, and hash it all out, hopefully it won't take as long as it did the first time.
2) Tell 'em, we welcome you with open arms, your say will be heard, just help us to calm down the radicals that give you guys a bad name.
3) Ignore it, it's just a fringe group, unless they start attacking citizens, then remnants of the Armed Forces will be used to eliminate the threat.
4) Put the Constitution back in place and go at it with the same system, chances are, we didn't start the nuke war.
5) Set up key military camps in key ruined cities, and annex it.

First I would gather the locals and give them a taste of conquest on the neighboring towns.

I would then spread like a plague of locusts across the land, burning and pillaging all who didn't surrender without resistance.

Once my hordes had conquered this land, I would proclaim myself God King. I would set up a giant pleasure palaces where I would live out my days in hedonistic delight.

Upon my death my sons would fight amongst themselves for my throne, leading to the fall of my empire.

Finally 1000 years later I would be the subject of a History channel mini-series.

er what was the question again?

lmao eple!

fallout 1/2 still own!:D

I would create gigantic robots to represent each colony and once every 4 years I would have them battle it out on random terrain with he winning robot country having supreme rule over the universe for the next four years. O and full nudity strip clubs w/liquor would be legal everywhere Whoo Hoo

practical anarchy.

The one thing that I know I would do is ditch the two party system we have. Somehow, we have managed to fuck up and mangle a perfectly good system. Bu then again, what do I know?

Thanks for the replies, guys. I can't help but laugh my ass off at some of the replies :D

Here's my plan, broken down into the categories: GOV'T, ELECTION, MILITARY, ECONOMY

GOV'T
There is one president and a cabinet of his/her choosing, with each member having a certain order. There is no VP, because the cabinet order determines succession in case of death, and whoever remains will continue serving the rest of the term unless they resign, but not before congress votes on whether or not to choose a different administration (ie: in case of cabinet backstabbing).

Congress shall work just as it does now, with two houses, etc. etc.

ELECTION
Anyone can be president, even if you weren't born here. No minimum age to participate in gov't at any level, but there is a maximum age, after which politicians must retire, to prevent the country from going stale and inflexible.

Two party system must be replaced with a more flexibile method, like say, if you want to start an official party, get X# of people to sign a petition, and you get a slot on the ballot, and a given amount of paid exposure, covered by surplus if there is one, or by the current administration's party if there's a deficit. No party can legally exceed this budget.

Contributions can be accepted by the party, but cannot be used for exposure, and must be kept in a collective account, untouchable by any single individual. They can be used to fund projects and such, if congress allows it.

MILITARY
Military control is in the hands of congress. It is the administration's responsibility to present correct, clear, and concise reports about proposed military actions, and to convince the congress to accept it. At least this way you might say *the whole country's representatives* are accountable, and not just the administration.

ECONOMY
Since the country is still weak, agriculture and manual labor will have to go a long way, but no labor unions will be allowed. Once it recovers, however, one union will be allowed as an exception - the consumers' union.

IMHO the nazis will fade away pathetically once the economy goes up, and unless Canada comes up with a similar plan, it will be to its advantage to join up :)

I am sure much more detail is necessary... I guess thats a decent beginning though.

Never let the Federal Reserve Bank become instituted again, and dismember the families behind them.

Do you need a number 1? Sign me up.

*hides knife behind back*

:D