Torah Ideals

Bravo excellent article and enjoyable to read. The article has given me some direction in this time of confusion and desperation in my life. May I request clarification of the following quote?

“The blacksmith, however, has something of intrinsic value. His anvil and his tradecraft make his business solid and secure. Nothing can happen to them, so his livelihood is not in danger. In contrast to the flex dealer who may appear large and wealthy, the blacksmith is not threatened by the whims of fate, for possesses something that will certainly endure.”

As a corollary to today’s current events let’s say that the flax merchant, fully aware of the danger of a spark, encourages the importation of slaves or indentured servants from a foreign less wealthy culture to perform the blacksmith’s work at cut rate prices, thus driving the blacksmith out of business, and securing control of the blacksmith industry. The flax merchant would then be in the position to use the black smith business that it now owns to spark rival flax merchants and any independently owned black smith shops.

Isn’t that happening today with the auto bailout where conditions are set that require cutbacks on labor?

To illustrate my personal position, I am a high tech worker, with computer and network technician level skills. Soon after NAFTA was passed I was laid-off from my job as a help desk and network technician. Several departments were cut along with many people.

Since that time I have been attempting to continue my trade. However, the Dot Com bust was the final straw. I was laid off in 2001 along with over two-hundred and fifty others from a high tech job.

My career has been filled by illegal immigrants and H1-B visa types. Worker rights that took many years of desperate struggle to obtain are evaporating as big business circumvents local workers.

I have tried starting my own business with limited success. Due to the labor market schools have become filled and competition is high to obtain classes. I did earn an Associate of Science but could not find any work in the computer field. The work place has become very competitive and jobs increasingly require previous experience, even low level jobs. I have degenerative disc disease and cannot work as a laborer or anything requiring lots of bending and twisting.

I played the game, earned two college degrees, attended trade school for electronic technology, acquired on the job training and industry certification in telecommunications, and worked hard with diligence for corporations that promised a secure career path. I am not a great student, and have failed many times to achieve my goals. Once I earned my degrees and obtained industry experience I hoped that it would finally be alright. Not so. The battle against the black smith is relentless, cruel and merciless.

I am considering other career options and would like to start my own business. Going back to school is expensive and time consuming. I have already spend the major portion of my life in school and training for a career.

This latest round of job cutting and rising unemployment is nailing the lid on my coffin.

Help!

The only way out that I can see is to start my own business. I am wracking my brain and searching my soul for an answer. My actions have been stunted because I am paralyzed depression and despair. It is difficult to make decisions and the angst is unbearable.

Your article has provided me some inspiration and sparked my esprit de corps. Thank you and good luck.