Do a history check on Iceland over the last 10 years, they are better off for the changes they introduced when their country was being sold out from under them.
America could be in better shape because they already have the land and the people and with mass communication available all bills could be on a referendum and your pension would be based on how much input you did between 20 and 60 years of age. Food is still the first priority then warmth for everyone. That means the south might have to help that north but in return you get ice which happens to be purified fresh water.