Posted on 03/09/2005 8:34:26 AM PST by steampower
My Wailing Wall
My "wailing wall" isn't located in Jerusalem, it's alot closer to home. My "wailing wall" is the display of work gloves at the local hardware store.
I started wailing there after vainly searching all the many pairs of gloves, of the type I needed, for any that were made in America.
I find myself drawn to that place now, if not in body (which happens often) then in mind.
The store employees frequently offer to assist me, but they can't provide what I'm really seeking. Or rather, how can they help me when I don't know what I want.
Not that I don't know my size, and the type of glove which suits my need, that's not the problem. My problem comes from thinking about the hands which made the gloves that are on display.
Recently I found pairs of leather gloves there for the price of ONE DOLLAR EACH! They were made of very thin stuff, but the workmanship was of no less quality than those costing three or four times as much.
I stood and stared at those gloves and nearly wept. The store keepers must think I'm crazy.
jim
ps. after much soul searching, I bought a pair.
I remember paying $400 for our first vcr. It was probably made in America. Now I can get one for $40, not made in America. Sorry, I'm not rich enough to buy all my household goods 'made in America.'
How much value do others attach to your own labors?
The author admitted buying the one dollar gloves, but with a heavy heart, thinking about some poor soul struggling to make a living by doing skillful work with their hands, so his could be protected.
A prospective customer once asked me how much I paid my employees before hearing my price for his work. Upon hearing my reply (my men were receiving an average wage for their occupation)the prospective customer said: "Forget it! I can't afford you!"
There is nothing you or I can do that someone else won't attempt to do cheaper, providing they can do it by the labor of others.
The day may come when you will be able to buy a vcr for $4 but you won't have the money to buy it.
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