Other countries don't have anything quite like our 10th amendment reserved-powers-of-the-states

It didn't "look crazy" in 1787, but as things change (newer guns, more abortions, etc.. with only 2 major political parties and a residual smoldering resentment in the South for their loss in the Civil War, it is a modern version of the Wild West.
   Ranchers out West are defying the Federal govt. about where they can graze cattle. Division of church & state is routinely defied by local laws passed to give conservative Christians priority, without admitting that is their goal. School textbooks are highly influenced by conservative states, particularly Texas.
   And now, ultimate rulings are by a conservative Supreme Court.

It's now more than just being painted into a corner, it's a maze where walls are changed just as attempts to navigate it get near an exit.
The psychological element comes in as a majority of conservative Republicans work on very different principals. It used to be that the 2 major parties had basically similar concepts about governing for the benefit of the country as a whole, but only differed about how. Now, the underlying goals of the Conservatives are in large part selfish, and negotiations boil down to "do it our way".
   The horrible "Electoral College" system and blatant Gerrymandering now keep us from voting in enough sane and reasonable congressional members to change things. (You note that in the last 2 national elections, Democrats got WAY more total votes, but still lost House & Senate members. Now states with conservative local majorities are re-districting and passing laws to reduce minority voting.

I am about out of metaphors like 'painting into a corner' to describe it all. About the only things the conservatives still haven't totally co-opted are the news media and the military... and you can bet they are thinking............

Me? Worried?... yeah.. I'm old enough I probably won't the the ultimate power grab, but I worry about what kind of world my son will live in.