@evan
The most valid and probably most accepted negative thing about the US government is that it takes a lot of work to improve it, and that's only after getting some level of agreement on what needs to be changed.
That, coupled with diffuse benefits/detriments being pitted against concentrated detriments/benefits means the general interest languishes while government policy serves special interests. That's OK for people who need help, but is bad when it's people who are already thriving.