On his recent visit President Obama urged people in the UK to vote remain and some campaigners took this as an opportunity to compare the EU with the USA - claiming they were similar. Whilst there may be some similarities - and gripes about big government etc., what tended to be disregarded is the fact that the USA has a common history, mainly common language and culture etc.

The EU comprises 28 different countries with hugely varying economies, historical ties, languages, culture and aspirations. A closer analogy with the USA would be for it to be part of a pan-American Union that allowed free access and welfare rights for the citizens of every country belonging to the union. This is what it is actually like in the EU - low price eastern European workers can flock to the wealthier countries claim welfare including for children still living in their home country. In the UK this has put huge pressure on housing and medical care that is not sustainable - and it's one of the main reasons for the out vote.

I doubt very much that President Obama would try and sell a similar arrangement to the US electorate.