It's not as if those other nations don't have conservatives. There are still debates about tax rates and social services there, they just all agree on a higher

It's not as if those other nations don't have conservatives. There are still debates about tax rates and social services there, they just all agree on a higher level social contract (mandatory sick leave, that education and healthcare results in a more prosperous society etc). The US always strikes me as a country dealing with the logical outcomes of decisions made decades ago - a health insurance not care system (I pay more in insurance premiums than the total taxation for a median family back in my birth country!), low investment in urban public transportation, and an overly complex government structure (I live in an urban area with 100+ "cities" that all have their own council, there is a regional government agency, then the country, State, and Federal government agencies. That's a lot of duplication). Every country has it's issues but it does seem that the US is determined to look inward for solutions instead of looking to what works elsewhere. I'm an immigrant so accept that as the US way (and understand that Americans really value local control) but I do find it interesting/frustrating/admirable at times. I also often wonder what the US could achieve if we resolved some of these fundamental issues out - how many entrepreneurs can't make the jump because they need healthcare for their family or are paying vast sums of money for health insurance...