"We don't make stuff anymore"
Actually we still make for more than anybody else on the planet, including the Chinese. Our output is still near an all-time high. And right now, we manufacture about 45% more than the Chinese, although they will probably catch up -- which they should, given their much greater population. See
http://blog.american.com/2011/01/the-demise-of-america%E2%80%99s-manufacturing-sector-has-been-greatly-exaggerated/