Is there such a big difference between manufacturing and education?

Question

Economists seem to on about the importance of exporting our own manufactured goods, if possible using our own countries resources, rather than importing. I had always though that developing our own countries resource of intelligence through education is just as important economically. Am I just mad?.. because it never seems to be given the importance it deserves by politicians. Would it theoretically be possible to have a country with little other natural resources to export the educated intelligence?.. Like the Dutch engineers for example. p.s. I wish this was spell checked!

Answer 1

The jobs requiring smarts are being "outsourced"
China handles nearly all the manufacturing.

America needs to focus on both, here at home.