I think buddhism in the U.S. would benefit from a bit of an image change.   Buddhists are usually seen as passive, peaceful beings, content to meditate quietly in their inner quest.  Actually, I think the truly committed buddhist would more appropriately be seen as a figure of strength, endurance, following a much more difficult path than most everyone else.  The self-discipline and spartan rigor of a buddhist practice is much tougher to achieve than the lives of comfort and material pleasure and distraction that most of us pursue.
 
This is a country that loves the action hero.  Might buddhism create the "inaction" hero?