Yes but they have the population split about 50/50 into disparate competing interests precisely so they don't realize they have a common vested interest in exercising their political power to unseat the people in power at the top.

Two slaves spend more time arguing over what is the best way to pick cotton will not have enough energy to fight for their freedom.

Americans will attack their neighbors on all sorts of issues, abortion, gay marriage, whatever it is, all the while their economic prospects are degraded.

Why does it matter if abortion is legal or not if you cannot afford to feed your children? They will die regardless. Why does it matter if two men can get married or not, if they cannot afford a flat?