Your reply reminded me of a quote about Americans attributed to various people, including Churchill: You can depend upon the Americans to do the right thing. But only after they have exhausted every other possibility.
"A healthy dose of pragmatism would make this lovely country... "perfect" :) "
Ah well, I think there are quite some other traits missing and there is too much stiffness. I am curious if the upcoming legalisation of weed will help, or not.