[jeffreyrogers]

The USSR had alternate models to move to. What alternate model does the US have? The only ones that are somewhat successful are Russian and Chinese style authoritarianism, neither of which are palatable to the US population.

[anonporridge]

The alternative style for the US is more loose confederation of independent states than tightly unified under a powerful federal government.

This has literally been the key point of contention from just about day one.

[Clubber]

Since before day one. Jefferson supported the former while Hamilton supported the later. This disagreement lead to the first political parties inside of GW's administration. This led to a dire warning in his farewell address:

"However [political parties] may now and then answer popular ends, they are likely in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people and to usurp for themselves the reins of government, destroying afterwards the very engines which have lifted them to unjust dominion."

[jessaustin]

Maybe we could be like most of Europe? A little bit less capitalism, a little bit more socialism, quite a lot less stupid wars?

What was I thinking, of course that's absolutely unthinkable...