Avram> So do you think the Rambam wrote the Mishne Torah for the rich to use to rub the poor’s faces in the dirt
I think he wrote it for the poor to encourage them to work and live kosher Jewish life. If I may to rephrase what Rambam said about his work: you can be a full-time lawyer, read Mishne Torah on the train to work and stay fully “frum”.
Avram> You’ve mentioned making Shabbos as chol
I am sorry, it was R Akiva who mentioned that, of course, not me. You are making me repeat that by not replying on substance 🙂 I don’t think most people need to go to that extreme. If you accept a modest lifestyle and work a couple of hours a day, you should have herring left for shaloseudos. Granted, Gemora lets (although not recommends) a father to send the kids after 6 y.o. to go do some work, so maybe some adjustments are in order.