I don't "despise" manufacturing. It was the center of the American economy at one time and now that time is passing. There will be other transitions in the future, this isn't the last. As for our population growth, I'd say it's a blessing. Other industrialized countries are facing low, or negative growth rates, and eventual extinction. More people doesn't mean a "burden" on our system, unless you live in socialism. Look, we don't know what exactly the future economy will consist of. But we do know that factory jobs don't cut it any more. There will be new industries and new jobs. The economy will adjust, as it always has in the past.
Nope. We are in a beggar-thy-neighbor competition of societies. The Iron Law of Wages is being allowed to operate, and the destruction of the U.S. middle class is underway. Anything new never gets made in the U.S., it goes straight to China for manufacturing. We went from one-income bread-winners, to two income families...with many having to work multiple jobs. This is progress?