Charles, I agree with your comment re. Constitution and I am not a fan of the current political regime. But it is not at all clear to me, why on earth would the powers that be want to impose a military rule/fascism other than as advertised (i.e. in response to an actual emergency).
Historically, martial law/ fascism was imposed as a last resort measure,when the ruling class was threatened by social unrest or pressures from below. But the opposite seems to be true in the US - the ruling class is firmly in control, and it gets what it wants through ordinary legal means, an enjoys support of the majority of the population. It natural enemies (cf. organized labor, social movements) are getting visibly weaker, so no potential threat from those quarters either. The ruling class is well of, secure, and firmly in control, with no serious challenges from below in sight. Why do they need military rule or fascism? What will it give them what they do not already have?
Wojtek
^^^^
Very good question, Wojtek.
I'd say, in a few words, class strategic planning. Although on these lists we have fallen into the habit of ignoring the possiblity of a major "domestic" political and economic crisis, depression or the like in the U.S., actually, capitalism, even a "New Economy" , still has the potential for a sudden, system threatening crisis. In the Roaring 20's, nobody thought the Depression was just around the corner.
I'd say the U.S. masses, who , as you say , don't seem to be challenging the system much these days, is seething just below the surface. All the religiosity we discuss here often, is a sign of, shall we say, serious underlying discontent. An energy crisis, a big cyclical economic crisis like that of the 1930's , a new type of crisis we haven't thought of, all could really knock the U.S.A off the hook. The ruling class knows this. They may talk about it more than we do, ironically.
Here's a more specific possibility. What kind of crisis will we suffer when we lose the war on Iraq ? Will there be an effort to blame domestic "traitors" , as in Germany after WWI ? What will all those soldiers trained to kill and angry do when they come home losers ?
The ruling class is like the Boy Scouts. They like to be prepared.