I disagree with your first paragraph, but agree with your second.
I live in Canada. Most discussion of public policy (and other things) incorporates what happens and has happened around the world, including the US and Europe. Canada is as "isolated" as the US, and even bigger geographically, although much smaller in population.
Interestingly, I currently live in a city where everyone is always telling themselves how awesome they, and their city, are. People here don't travel as much as I'm used to (why would I want to go anywhere else?), are much more insular, and tend to be more ignorant of history as well as world (and national) affairs. I blame fear of the unknown and us vs. them propaganda.
Also, several issues that have been discussed on Slashdot in relation to US politics actually have examples right in the US, whether they're cities or whole states. Didn't Mitt Romney implement a public health care plan in his home state? Do they have death tribunals yet?