Gets nothing done in reality? In what context are we talking here? I mean, considering you're in real terms wealthier than the majority of people on the planet, I think it has got something done in reality. Or do you think your standard of living would have been better had you been born in Syria?
We are wealthy due to protectionism, and history... being a democracy doesn't mean much in that regard.
We need to federalize to an actual federal state (I want a hard two-tier citizenship, harsh penalties for disobedience and required military service on some level), i see no other future frankly.