FEMA – A Shadow Government

Most Americans are unaware of COG (Continuity of Government). The concentration of powers is, supposedly, intended to prevent the collapse of essential government functions in the event of a disaster in Washington DC. The problem is only the Executive Branch is represented.

It does not take a great leap to envision such a government being activated with the military at the helm. The pieces are in place. One of these involves the use of the military in disaster relief---but in a very loosely defined way---combined with other mega-bureaucratic governmental agencies such as FEMA. In 1979 President Jimmy Carter signed an executive order that merged many of the disaster relief agencies into one large conglomerate known as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). After 9/11, FEMA became one of the four major branches of the new department of Homeland Security.

FEMA is generally associated with natural disasters. The agency's actual purpose is much broader and includes any national emergency related to terrorism or civil unrest. With broad powers to act in times of "widespread internal unrest," FEMA's stated purpose is to ensure survivability of the United States government.

FEMA has expanded powers, given to few government agencies, including the power to develop plans to take control of the mechanisms of production, distribution, energy sources, wages, salaries, and the flow of money during a national emergency. To take over modes of transportation, assume control of the media as well as food resources, take control at airports, and seize and direct citizens. FEMA has the power to put the Constitution and the Bill of Rights on hold while attempting to restore order in the time of a perceived disaster, turning the United States into a military state.

We should not forget, nor forgive, General Tommy Franks who said another serious terrorist attack on the United States would "begin to unravel the fabric of our Constitution." Franks said that under such circumstances, "the Constitution could be scrapped in favor of a military form of government."

With the Patriot Act and FEMA it will not be difficult for the military to do precisely that.

Surely FEMA needs to be able to draw upon whatever resources are available when aiding disaster relief. The problem is that the power given to FEMA has come through presidential executive orders rather than the legislative process which has scuttled the representative process. During a time of national emergency, FEMA, which is run by unelected officials, would become the most powerful government authority.