1- i think that the US is doomed unless they change their education system and turn it patriotic again, socialism and totaliarism is growing very fast in the US and you can see Canada as an example, Australia and New Zealand, of how "Democratic" countries falled so fast...

2- The majority yes, because people doesn't want to lose their jobs, their TVs, they are willing to gave up their liberties to keep their toasters and marshmallows. Sadly comfortable times creates very weak people, everyone has too much to lose so almost nobody would fight...

3- 12 years maybe is too much...