[dmk23]

You have free choice to avoid employment with companies that require non-competes.

Moreover you are even welcome to start a company that does not require non-competes and later on have the pleasure of investing in professional development of people who may later turn their talents against you.

[kelnos]

Not if there are no (desirable/worthwhile) companies that take people on without a non-compete.

And what if you work for such a company but want to strike out on your own? The non-compete clause doesn't differentiate between an existing competitor and one you found yourself.

[rat87]

You also have the choice to bad mouth non-competes live in states where they are mostly invalid(like California) and support laws banning non-competes.