America's political philosophy has proven to be very successful, however. "We hold these truths to be self-evident..."
What a shame that we have to so great a degree abandoned it.
What glorious freedom and security and prosperity our posterity could enjoy if we would reembrace it.
Where she succeeded was articulating where collectivist liberalism would end up if allowed to grow unchecked, and IMO therin lies the broad appeal of her book today.
Where she failed was in realizing that just about any unchecked ideology could become just as potent a destroyer, such as the corporate fascism currently hoovering billions from taxpayers. As you noted, any ideology without a sound moral basis is very prone to excess and failure in the end.