Hobby Lobby & Obamacare

[LadyEagle]

Email received: (The Legal Fees will probably Bankrupt this Business and if they go under, more people will be unemployed. Obamacare is an attack on religious liberty.)

Column: Christian companies can't bow to sinful mandate

By David Green



When my family and I started our company 40 years ago, we were working out of a garage on a $600 bank loan, assembling miniature picture frames. Our first retail store wasn't much bigger than most people's living rooms, but we had faith that we would succeed if we lived and worked according to God's word. From there, Hobby Lobby has become one of the nation's largest arts and crafts retailers, with more than 500 locations in 41 states. Our children grew up into fine business leaders, and today we run Hobby Lobby together, as a family.

We're Christians, and we run our business on Christian principles. I've always said that the first two goals of our business are (1) to run our business in harmony with God's laws, and (2) to focus on people more than money. And that's what we've tried to do. We close early so our employees can see their families at night. We keep our stores closed on Sundays, one of the week's biggest shopping days, so that our workers and their families can enjoy a day of rest. We believe that it is by God's grace that Hobby Lobby has endured, and he has blessed us and our employees. We've not only added jobs in a weak economy, we've raised wages for the past four years in a row. Our full-time employees start at 80% above minimum wage.



But now, our government threatens to change all of that. A new government healthcare mandate says that our family business must provide what I believe are abortion-causing drugs as part of our health insurance. Being Christians, we don't pay for drugs that might cause abortions. Which means that we don't cover emergency contraception, the morning-after pill or the week-after pill. We believe doing so might end a life after the moment of conception, something that is contrary to our most important beliefs. It goes against the Biblical principles on which we have run this company since day one. If we refuse to comply, we could face $1.3 million per day in government fines.



Our government threatens to fine job creators in a bad economy. Our government threatens to fine a company that's raised wages four years running. Our government threatens to fine a family for running its business according to its beliefs. It's not right.



I know people will say we ought to follow the rules; that it's the same for everybody. But that's not true. The government has exempted thousands of companies from this mandate, for reasons of convenience or cost. But it won't exempt them for reasons of religious belief. So, Hobby Lobby — and my family — are forced to make a choice. With great reluctance, we filed a lawsuit today, represented by the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, asking a federal court to stop this mandate before it hurts our business. We don't like to go running into court, but we no longer have a choice. We believe people are more important than the bottom line and that honoring God is more important than turning a profit.



My family has lived the American dream. We want to continue growing our company and providing great jobs for thousands of employees, but the government is going to make that much more difficult. The government is forcing us to choose between following our faith and following the law. I say that's a choice no American — and no American business — should have to make.



David Green is the CEO and founder of Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc.

 

[Salty]

Just posted this on Facebook and another site I am on!

 

[LadyEagle]

Just posted this on Facebook and another site I am on!

:thumbs: :thumbs:

A lot of ladies are going to be upset if Hobby Lobby goes under! I love to go in there, they always play Christian music on the overhead.

 

[blackbird]

:thumbs: :thumbs:

A lot of ladies are going to be upset if Hobby Lobby goes under! I love to go in there, they always play Christian music on the overhead.

Hey-----------I like Hobby Lobby----and I am of the Male variety!!!!

And how do I post this above from the CEO onto my FB page???

:jesus::godisgood:

 

[LadyEagle]

Hey-----------I like Hobby Lobby----and I am of the Male variety!!!!

And how do I post this above from the CEO onto my FB page???

:jesus::godisgood:

Just cut & paste, Blackbird, cut & paste.....

Or send me a PM with your email address and I'll send the original email to you.....& you can send it to everyone on your email list! :thumbs:

 

[dcorbett]

I love Hobby Lobby!!!!

I will send you a PM and you can send the original to me also! :thumbs:

 

[Crabtownboy]

I've never heard of Hobby Lobby, guess there are none in my area.

From what I have read on the Internet this morning it is more likely that the boycott of Hobby Lobby will do them in faster than Obamacare.


http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/09/2...ain-hobby-lobby-after-lawsuit-against-health/

http://www.google.cz/url?sa=t&rct=j...Npjfy1Ozy-rJCEt0A&sig2=VEBiQsGcwIFTkau7ncWcVQ

http://www.examiner.com/article/hob...o-lawsuit-the-company-filed-against-obamacare

By the way, should Pacifists be allowed to reduce their income taxes because having a military is against their beliefs?

I thought conservatives do not like activists court judges. Filing a lawsuit is asking a court to be activist. I think a better route to take, and one I would support Hobby Lobby on is to work to have the law changed by Congress. This is a more proper route IMHO.

 

[Don]

I have to say, CTB -- I just do not understand the way you think.

BTW, folks: The owners of Hobby Lobby also have a chain of Christian book stores called Mardell's. Personally, for the areas where you find Hobby Lobby and Mardell's--I think this so-called boycott is going to have very little effect.

 

[Crabtownboy]

I have to say, CTB -- I just do not understand the way you think.

That is o-kay Don. My thinking on this, concerning the politics, is pretty linear. I do not disagree with the store management opposing Obamacare. I will defend their right to do so. But I think they have chosen the wrong path in opposing the law. They are asking for an activist court judge to overturn the law. I think this, in the long run, is a futile path to follow. The Supreme Court has already ruled and is not likely to overturn itself. Even if lower courts rule in their favor it will be appealed to the SC and that will take years. In the mean time many who disagree with the management of the chain will reduce their purchases and that will hurt the company.

I feel a more productive path would be to influence congressmen/women to change the law.

I am being a good conservative here and opposing activist courts, that will in time become futile decisions as stated above.

BTW, folks: The owners of Hobby Lobby also have a chain of Christian book stores called Mardell's. Personally, for the areas where you find Hobby Lobby and Mardell's--I think this so-called boycott is going to have very little effect.

You may be right. I have no idea as there are none of either in my area. Only time will tell if the boycott is effective or not.

 

[dcorbett]

Every doctor I know is against Obamacare...My daughter is a nurse,
and she says Obamacare will close the nursing home she works at.

I am totally against Obamacare.

I just did some Christmas shopping on www.hobbylobby.com

:tongue3:

 

[Crabtownboy]

Every doctor I know is against Obamacare...My daughter is a nurse,
and she says Obamacare will close the nursing home she works at.

I am totally against Obamacare.

I just did some Christmas shopping on www.hobbylobby.com

:tongue3:

My family doctor told me he thinks Obamacare will be all right.

I work as a volunteer at our local hospital and have not heard any doctor condemn Obamacare.

We will just have to wait and see how it all plays out

 

[blackbird]

There's a Hobby Lobby here in the B'ham metro----on Hwy 280 Corridor just over Double Oak Mountain from me

Last time I was in the store they had Mark Hall & Casting Crowns playing over the intercom:type:

 

[LadyEagle]

I feel a more productive path would be to influence congressmen/women to change the law.

You know that is not going to happen with a Democrat-controlled Senate & Harry Reid and Obama in the WH.

I do not understand your thinking either, CTB.

I expect Hobby Lobby will close their stores after the election if obama is re-elected and drop the lawsuit. I also expect many other Christian based businesses and Catholic hospitals and charities to close their doors, as well, because of obamacare. :tear:

For all good Southern Baptists, Lifeway will be affected. It will be interesting to see what Lifeway does.

 

[targus]

by the way, should pacifists be allowed to reduce their income taxes because having a military is against their beliefs?

red herring

off topic

 

[targus]

My family doctor told me he thinks Obamacare will be all right.

I work as a volunteer at our local hospital and have not heard any doctor condemn Obamacare.

We will just have to wait and see how it all plays out

Why should we wait to see how it plays out?

As it stands Christian business owners and church operated hospitals, adoption agencies, etc. will be required to fund abortive drugs and contraception against their religious beliefs.

How can any person of any faith be ok with this?

 

[Revmitchell]

How can any person of any faith be ok with this?

They can't.......

 

[Don]

That is o-kay Don. My thinking on this, concerning the politics, is pretty linear. I do not disagree with the store management opposing Obamacare. I will defend their right to do so. But I think they have chosen the wrong path in opposing the law. They are asking for an activist court judge to overturn the law. I think this, in the long run, is a futile path to follow. The Supreme Court has already ruled and is not likely to overturn itself. Even if lower courts rule in their favor it will be appealed to the SC and that will take years. In the mean time many who disagree with the management of the chain will reduce their purchases and that will hurt the company.

I feel a more productive path would be to influence congressmen/women to change the law.

I am being a good conservative here and opposing activist courts, that will in time become futile decisions as stated above.




You may be right. I have no idea as there are none of either in my area. Only time will tell if the boycott is effective or not.

Here's where your thinking causes me to scratch my head: If there's an existing law that forces me to do something that I believe infringes on my constitutional (legal) rights, isn't that why we established a court system? I haven't seen you make the same claim against the catholics.

 

[Aaron]

I have to say, CTB -- I just do not understand the way you think.

He, or she, does not believe an unborn child is living, and he, or she, believes in abortion, socialism and almost every other antichristian social policy, and supports the use of the sword to coerce them.

He, or she, will speak out of both side of the mouth to argue his/her points. No thinking, mere parrotting and propaganda.

 

[Crabtownboy]

Here's where your thinking causes me to scratch my head: If there's an existing law that forces me to do something that I believe infringes on my constitutional (legal) rights, isn't that why we established a court system? I haven't seen you make the same claim against the catholics.

I have no idea why you bring Catholics into the thread.

On this case to take it into federal courts is a lost case. The Supreme Court has already ruled that Obamacare is constitutional. Thus, it is a waste of time and money.

So, work on the legislators.

 

[targus]

I have no idea why you bring Catholics into the thread.

On this case to take it into federal courts is a lost case. The Supreme Court has already ruled that Obamacare is constitutional. Thus, it is a waste of time and money.

So, work on the legislators.

Crabby not reading his own sources is getting a bit tiring to say the least.

"Hobby Lobby is believed to be the first non-Catholic company to file an objection to the healthcare mandate. The Newland family, the devoutly Catholic owners of Denver-based Hercules Industries filed a similar suit this past summer and won a court injunction that ruled that they are not obligated to follow the mandate.

“I think the law and precedent set by this case is very strong for Hobby Lobby and the Green Family,” Windham said."

From his linked article http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/09/2...ain-hobby-lobby-after-lawsuit-against-health/ in post 7 of this thread.