Samuelson's "upheaval in American life" has happened in slow motion over 30 years.

Phase I: Reaganomics (including budget deficits unprecedent since World War II), Iran-Contra crimes and lies

Phase II:  Contract with America, rise of right-wing propaganda, rise of "reality TV,"  impeachment of Bill Clinton

Phase III: Supreme Court appoints Geo. W. Bush president, "Patriot" Act, invasion of Iraq (and the prodigious lying that accompanied it), more massive deficits, bubble-and-bust economy, 2008 "financial crisis" that impoverished millions

Phase IV: Successful Republican effort to undermine and cripple every Obama effort to do anything, threats to shut down government, blockade of judicial nominations

Phase V:  Most vicious and mendacious campaign in American history culminates in voter choice of greatest con man in American history.

The election doesn't signal an upheaval to come, but one that has  reached its logical conclusion: the beginning of the end of the American republic.