American Politics the 2016 edition

Hmmm...which products are you referring to precisely? Given that most American production has been outsourced to Third World Countries, I am not sure your claim holds water. But products actually "Made in America" are very durable and well-crafted. My wife and I go out of our way to purchase American-made products, and find it increasingly difficult to find them. But we've been quite pleased with what we have. For instance, just try try take our Sub-Zero refrigerator and Viking range (both U.S. made) from my wife. She will break your fingers. Since we are on a prog site, as far as musical instruments, I just bought my daughter a Fender Precision jazz bass, and have used American-made Martins, Gibsons and Ovations (the Connecticut factory closed in 2014, unfortunately) for the past 40 years. I have never been disappointed; on the contrary, all my guitars are keepers. Powell flutes? Zildjian cymbals? Steinway pianos? Taylor, Carvin and Rickenbacker guitars? Dean Markley and Elixir strings?

Perhaps you are referring to the auto industry? Hmmm...I know the Jeep I drive was made in Ohio, and my wife's Subaru was assembled in Indiana (with engine and other parts from Japan). But since most cars are a hodgepodge of parts from all over the world, I don't know. Got any specifics?

Are you having a laugh! Viking Range and Sub-zero Refrigerator... Seriously? A £10,000 cooker and a £15,000 'fridge. That's like claiming all Italian cars are great because of Ferrari and Lambourgini ... I owned a White-Westinghouse hob and it was a piece of crap. "Made in the USA" is not a marque of quality.

Yes, but even Marshall is farming out their less expensive lines to Asia (as is the Brit-made Orange amps). Just like Fender with Squier, and their Korean and Mexican plants producing lower-end Strats.

I'm unqualified to judge - I've only ever owned five cars in my entire life - three German, one British and one Korean... the Brit one was a piece of total and utter crap with something falling off it practically every week (the driver-side window actually fell out while I was driving) however if the brakes had worked when I needed them to I'd still be driving it simply because it was the most fun to drive. I drive a BMW because Hyundai don't sell the car I want in the UK.

I still adore the Ford Mustang even though the two later models I have hired in the US seemed to be not as well made as I would liked - just too much hard plastic and not enough refinement for a 21st century vehicle, enjoyable to cruse around in for a couple of weeks but I'd not pay good money to own one.

Nah. 

There were people that felt the Republican Party may come to an end after Goldwater's 1964 debacle. 

Today...his extreme anti government views and opposition to the Civil Rights Act seems, well mainstream. 

I think things will go as I said long ago: They will continue to lose the Presidency but keep owning Congress. Now dont get me wrong, they can barely hold together as a single party and cant actually get their own budgets passed without Dem help BUT they can keep obstructing. Keep championing themselves as the defenders of freedom and blah blah against that big bad government, holding the line against everything. They were extremely unified when in opposition. 

Remember...it's not just about the PotUS, the GOP currently owns Congress. Yes, the Senate will likely flip Dem and they will make big gains in the House, but I read the long term outlook for Reps in Congress is good. 

Republicans also have a strong majority of governorships, and majority of state legislatures. 

It seems to me the Dems are kind of in trouble....outside the Presidency they are the minority nationwide. 

For the record, I didn't pay half of what you suggest for the range and the fridge, although those lines can get ridiculously pricey for very high end models (the ones with the glass doors and ranges with eight friggin' burners). But it was part of my wife's idea of a dream kitchen, and in order to fulfill my dreams ever again, I had to bow to hers. If you know what I mean. 

And, had you asked, I would have told you not to buy anything with the White-Westinghouse logo affixed to it.