Can Marx be considered in America?

While I might bring this up at one of our meetings, I will post these ideas below.

While I admire Marx's skepticism of an industrial economy and his rigorous analysis of "Das Kapital" (Capitalism), I wonder if his theories can be applied, or even considered, in America.

We (this is not say our group, rather a general we) have already established that Adam Smith (On the Wealth of Nations -- the bulwark of Capitalism) has been well received in our American experiment. But has Marx been equally considered? Should he?

While We (this is to say America, "We the People") are in some ways an industrial nation --and Marx's preoccupation was industry-- our unique heritage would seem to me unfit for application of Marx's theories.

There are certain traditions in America, political, cultural, social, that I believe would prevent any application of Marx's economic model. These being in no particular order and by no means standard:

Individualism-- While some might consider this to be a negative feature, I intend to cite individualism as a positive aspect of our national culture. Within individualism, there is a flourishing of creativity and spontaneity.

Vague industrialism-- Though there are industrial centers throughout America (less these days), our history is less industrial than most European countries that captured Marx's tradition. Marx doesn't account for Our American variety.

An undercurrent of community-- This is to me the most important piece of our American tradition. This feature would seem the point where Marxian theory could be introduced, but I might argue that it is also the point where Marxian theory would be most rejected.
This American communitarianism is different from Marx's communism. I imagine this community consisting of mutually respected and respectful individuals who are too stubborn and too creative to believe in any one philosophy (Marxism, Capitalism).

What this has to do with our Issue Workshop, I am not quite sure. I thought I would try laying a few things down for discussion.