I think it is more:
Juries giving stupid large awards on 60 year old aircraft liability claims saying that they are still liable.
Stupid juries
Congressmen Pretty much all lawyers
Judges lawyers pretty much
Lawyers, always lawyers 
FAA practices, actual actions, not what they say.
Sport, Ultra-lite, etc still helps folks stay in the air but the C-210, Comanche 260, Bonanza, Mooney Exec., the useful, IFR, 4 place transportation, nah, that is a thing of the past.
*I wonder what other product used by an individual must be under that standard? *