Similar forces are forcing us in the same direction as Germany.
All we need besides a fascist demagogue (a Trump or Cruz) is an economic slowdown and a military reverse or defeat to push us over the edge. The Bush Recession and the Iraq war have probably already accomplished this. Only the Obama Presidency has managed to postpone the inevitable. All the other social conditions, a threatened and panicky middle class, debt, racism, nationalism, a cynical and obstructive Congress, a divided electorate, rising income inequality, nativism and militarism are already in place.
Only a robust and politically successful Progressive movement can save us now.