I like to buy the best performing, longest lasting product my money can buy. If it's made in/by a USA company, that's great. In doing so, I believe this tells our home grown companies they need to be the best they can be. Otherwise you can end up with junk being marketed to the American consumer. In my view, Mercury put out some high priced junk in the past (Optimax power heads, fuel guzzling Verados, cheaply built carburated 2-stokes, I could go on). Why? Because Mercury knew the bass boys would stick with the black motors through thick and thin. Car manufacturers, especially GM, had the same approach. Ever knew a WWII veteran who would absolutely not consider a Japanese car? I've known many and I understand their reasons, and I greatly revere their service. But that mindset can get us crappy products if the manufacturers exploit it. For instance, GM cars in the 70s, 80s and 90s were poorly made IMO. I pull my rig with a Ford truck, and it is a good product. It does what no Jap truck can do, and it's quality is top shelf. I'm appreciative that Ford stood on their own and did not take the Federal bailout (this time). If we all demanded high performance and durability with our purchases, that is what the manufacturers would be forced to make for us.