Quite a few of us think the USA is finished (depending, of course, on how you define "finished.") This isn't the nation I grew up in (I'm 60 1/2). And this holds true regardless of your political beliefs: Whatever you might think was our "Golden Age," folks, it ain't coming back. Various technological, social, legal and demographic trends have been in motion and will continue to alter our nation (indeed, the world) in many ways. Of course, no one knows what the future holds for sure, but there are many sign posts. I read quite widely, and I've not seen any coherent arguments that our futures will NOT be worse off. 🙁