I'll agree on that. Europes facade is crumbling as well but people are too comfortable to do anything about it. Maybe the rough times in the USA actually make people take action.

I'm an American living in the EU for the last 1.5 y due to a work assignment. From what I observe here rough times and hard choices are coming for Europe, and probably relatively soon. I am sorry to say it, but I believe (as the saying goes) it is later than you think.

As for relying on your democratic process: I hope you are right.