The amount of ethnocentrism going on in the US right now kind of makes me sick. I personally don't believe USA made guitars are always the best, and don't hesitate to buy Japanese, Korean, etc... Whoever makes the best product gets my money.
I think USA Fenders are a pretty good deal (under a grand for a killer guitar). Pickup-wise, we do get stuff pretty cheap. However, I want BKs, and they're sure as hell not cheap :)