Our leaders have no such excuses. They are failing because they are crappy leaders. However, we are responsible for the folks we send back there.
I think that there are just too many Americans who like government goodies and who also like to avoid paying for them. Thus, high spending, low taxes, huge deficit/debt. Each day brings us more and more old people who want more and more goodies. And, they don't want to pay for the goodies. And, they always show up to vote.
Once this huge cohort of old folks dies off, we will have another crack at small government. That will be a wonderful time.
Tell that to the Australians. They would have all been British/Americans if it was not for our revolution.
At any rate, if you have not yet figured out that the current US government also has a fatal disease, then you really are not paying attention.