One thing I notice that is different about UK politics and American politics (correct me if I'm wrong) is that in the UK, politicians and issues seem to revolve around improving government programs and making policies come faster. Here in America, there is a more extreme need of political changes. Generally speaking, from the left, government programs that help the lower-class advance and the middle-class live, health care with a public option, and a government that benefits society rather than individual "survival of the fittest" types. From the right, lower taxes across the board, state-focused governments and a lesser government, and free market corporate movements. Extreme issues that ultimately should not be pursued, but instead should have both parties working together to strengthen the things that are good in this nation. Somehow, the government is seen as bad by the right, or "corrupt" even. Pretty large generalization, don't you think? Instead of trying to compromise, the right wants to revolutionize. And from what I'm seeing, they want to add some pretty large changes that hasn't been seen in almost a century.
What's happening in Arizona, for example, is something that is extreme.