If the stock market crashes, and there is mass panick, could it be the catalyst enabling our President to declaire Martial Law?

When the terrorists hit us there may be martial law in those few cites but otherwise my answer would be: No martial law..

My guess is that it would depend upon the severity and length of the crash. If it were that serious, there would be a crime-wave of unimagineable proportions all over the US.

In the 1930's, farms were more commonplace across the States, and people didn't rely on McDonalds for their every meal. Can you imagine the vast distribution system that we enjoy today coming to a screeching halt?

The people then would beg for government intervention and yes, Martial Law would likely ensue.

Why would the distribution system come to a screeching halt?

Martial law is the system of rules that takes effect when the military takes control of the normal administration of justice.

Usually martial law reduces some of the personal rights ordinarily granted to the citizen, limits the length of the trial processes, and prescribes more severe penalties than ordinary law.

In many states martial law prescribes the death penalty for certain crimes, even if ordinary law does not contain that crime or punishment in its system.

Originally martial law was imposed during wars or occupations to let the government control population more effectively in spite of heightened unrest.

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Nowadays it is most commonly used by authoritarian governments to enforce their rule, for example after coup d'état (Thailand 2006), when threatened by popular protests (PRC 1989), or to crack down on the opposition (Poland 1981).

Martial law can also be declared in cases of major natural disasters, however most countries use a different legal construct like "state of emergency".

In many countries martial law imposes particular rules, one of which is curfew.

Often, under this system, the administration of justice is left to a military tribunal, called a court-martial.

The suspension of the writ of habeas corpus is likely to occur.

[link to en.wikipedia.org]

Duh! What do you think, Sherlock???

105508:

Because trucks would have to pass through repeated checkpoints before entering any city; random stops would be initiated along the highway systems.... and not only for trucks. These actions alone would severely hinder the flow of foodstuffs and durable goods.

I would expect a knee-jerk action such as curfews enforced by military assistance if needed; this approach is called 'graduated response' and is taught in every police academy nationwide. It means simply that there are multiple levels of response which elevate as situations escalate. When four people are arguing you send two cop cars... when four hundred are rioting you send in the SWAT teams backed up by heavier shows of force, and so on.

To understand what I'm saying, you'll need to read within the context of the OP's hypothetical scenario. Since I get the felling you're not doing that, let me explain that I am participating in the thought exercise that the OP is postulating. This is not to say that I myself see this actually happening.

A severe long-term crash would put many thousands of people out of work. A massive crime wave would soon follow. Who is going to go and drive a refridgerated semi full of frozen foodstuffs when 1) their company is bankrupt and cannot pay them and 2) they'll very likely fall victim to highway robbery?

Surely you're not so naive as to believe a devastating economic depression would have no serious repercussions.

2. H.C. Relyea, "Martial Law and National Emergency", Congressional Research Service Report for Congress RS21024, updated January 7, 2005:

[link to www.fas.org]

They even bought all the housing stocks today and the people who make sheet -rock. WTF--Can't sell-em-rent-em-but These stocks are a buy. I think there's enough houses to last 2 yrs already

That and wait for the mantra of 'the only way for the dollar to compete with the EU and asian markets is the Amero'. Hello NAU

We have been under martial law from the time of the civil war in this country. Lincone put us in martial law and it was never stopped.
They can do anything they want at any time under the martial law we are still in. No big deal!