In one of the comments, someone asked if Hillary was elected, how long before the US looked like Venezuela?
IMO, quite a while. Even Venezuela took a while fall apart under Chavez and his predecessor. The pro-Communists had plenty of time to crow about what a great job they were doing even while oil production tanked. I think it could take a good while for the US to fall that far.
"There is a great deal of ruin in a nation" -Adam Smith
It would PROBABLY take some time to get to the point of
Argentina. VENEZUELA. (Though Argentina is also a possible future, too.)
Probably.
One thing that bothers me is the role the US has in the world. IF the main driver of the world economy/keeper of the peace/source of innovation stopped propping up the world system, what would happen?
I'm not even sure what that would look like, but the thought gives me pause.
Another thought: Argentina has done this without a natural disaster, as well. The U.S. is a much larger country, with several natural disaster-prone areas.
Imagine Argentina with a major earthquake. Or a volcano. Use your imagination for a disaster appropriate to your home.