Maybe it's just the 'murican in me but I actually find something pretty comforting about the "spread the power out, some of these bastards will get it right" ethos. Not only does it mean that someone's bound to pass some decent policy, it kinda makes the US coup-proof from all the more obvious routes. Imagine if someone (god forbid) brought down Washington DC. Like, they managed to drop an atom bomb on it then broadcast a message saying they had an army ready and were now in control. They would be met with a chorus of "lol, the fuck you are" from most of the Governors. Imagine trying to corral all 50 of these stupid-ass states without 200 years of institution behind you. Like herding cats.