What's missing in all of this, is a significant voice do the laity.  We (collectively) may come down on predictable lines, with some preferring traditionalist or progressive candidates, But I suspect that the laity could agree on leadership committed to cleaning up the many scandals that wrack the church.  The lack of that voice, the lack of the ability to have ANY real impact on the direction of the church, has a lot to do with the dissatisfaction in the church, and the major losses the church has seen.

That we focus on the countries where the cardinals originate suggests to me that we've been led to focusing on the wrong things...