In the age of high technology, internet, and cell phones it is hard to imagine not having a computer at home. It seems that it is just as essential as a fridge, stove, microwave and even a bed. Everything is done on the computer in this day and age. Even my children come home from elementary school and have homework assignments on the computer.

How did we ever get along without computers? This is even more so stated concerning business. It is almost beyond imagination to think about a business without a computer. To do anything in business manually today would be frowned upon. No business owner today is willing to pay for things done manually when it can be done in 1/20th of the time by using a computer.

We know that businesses have gained tremendous efficiency from the use of computers in the workplace, but have they lost anything? Perhaps businesses have not, but what about the people and this country? We are going through a tough economic time and many people are unemployed. Are computers the guilty party? Have they taken jobs away from many unsuspecting, hard working Americans?

We should keep in mind that computers have created a lot of jobs that this country did not have before. There are many technical jobs that have come about due to the computer industry. The computer industry employs a lot of people.

However, we cannot turn our backs on the fact that jobs have been lost because of the computer industry as well. As an example, an accountant certainly can take on a much larger load by themselves because of the computer. Labor jobs are the ones that have been lost as a result of computers.

Though the invention of the computer has brought along with it many jobs that could replace those that it causes to be lost, there is one key component that needs to be looked at. Many of the jobs created by the computer industry are technical in nature. Many of the jobs that the computers cut were not technical, but more labor oriented. This has likely caused a large chasm.

There was a day, long gone, when a high school graduate could provide for his family by making a living as a laborer. By working hard and staying loyal to a company, these kinds of people earned enough. These are the kind of people who are feeling the effects of the computer age.

So, should we reverse what we have done and work to eliminate the computer? Is that the answer to our economic woes in America? Of course not! That is silly and ridiculous. The new generation coming up will be more computer savvy than any generation that preceded it. The issue of the chasm caused by technology will be bridged with time. The answer, may well be, more entrepreneurs who care about people, families, and this country more than they care about money. That may be the hardest hurdle we face as a country.

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