Letter From CEO of Hobby Lobby inregard to Obamacare

[JBB-SaDo]

A Letter from Hobby Lobby Stores CEO
By David Green, the founder and CEO of Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc.

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 health care 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.
The government cannot force you to follow laws that go against your fundamental religious belief. They have exempted thousands of companies but will not except Christian organizations including the Catholic church.

Since you will not see this covered in any of the liberal media, pass this on to all your contacts.

Sincerely,
David Green, CEO and Founder of Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc.

 

[wanamingo]

Good to see the religious beliefs of the owners of the Hobby Lobby trump the beliefs of their workers.

More political motivation masked by religion.

 

[riser]

Thanks for posting.

True writing as some have confirmed. Fairly impressive that this shows up on the first page when googling it too.

 

[chunkymonster]

Good to see the religious beliefs of the owners of the Hobby Lobby trump the beliefs of their workers.

More political motivation masked by religion.

More like owners of private companies running their businesses according to their principles and not as government mandates.

If a privately owned company can make policy that concealed carry is not allowed in their businesses in a State where concealed carry is perfectly legal and where that policy effectively trumps State law in favor of the rights of private business, then a privately owned company can rightfully sue the government for mandating them to provide a service that is against their principles.

Unfortunately government mandates are politicizing religious principles.

 

[johnsonma]

I wonder if any Muslim or Jewish people work for them. Since they feel the need to impose their faith on those that work for them they must hire only christians.

 

[JBB-SaDo]

I wonder if any Muslim or Jewish people work for them. Since they feel the need to impose their faith on those that work for them they must hire only christians.

I would wager they do, employ people who do not agree with their core beliefs 100%.
It would be like saying no Christian, works at say, Starbucks or Wal-mart.

 

[wanamingo]

What about legitimate contraception for a medical condition? You and I know there are enough cases to warrant contraception to regulate "Monthly Cycles".

 

[chunkymonster]

What about legitimate contraception for a medical condition? You and I know there are enough cases to warrant contraception to regulate "Monthly Cycles".

Most if not all drug prescription plans make exceptions for women who need contraception for reasons other than birth control. If a woman needs oral contraception to regulate heavy menstruation, as hormone stabilizers, or prevent ovarian cysts, etc then it is no longer using contraception as contraception. At that point doctors and insurers consider the prescription a "medical necessity" as it changes the nature of the reason for taking the contraception from strictly being for birth control to being necessary for maintaining health and/or lifestyle.

There may be a minority of religious organizations that choose a specific health insurer because they do not cover oral contraception as part of the base package, but I venture that those companies are in the extreme minority. Most likely, religious organizations, like any other company managing health care costs, choose their health care insurer based on cost for value and the amount of coverage provided.

The irony of this whole issue is that there are many religious (Catholic) organizations that already provide oral contraception as part of the overall package offered by their health insurer. Which only plays into the fallacy of politicizing contraception as a women's health issue.

 

[Reynod]

Another loopy religious nut trying to impose his religious and moral principles on the rest of us.

Good luck with the lawsuit ... feeding a heap of lawyers in the process.

/akwardmoment

 

[musical marv]

A Letter from Hobby Lobby Stores CEO
By David Green, the founder and CEO of Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc.

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 health care 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.
The government cannot force you to follow laws that go against your fundamental religious belief. They have exempted thousands of companies but will not except Christian organizations including the Catholic church.

Since you will not see this covered in any of the liberal media, pass this on to all your contacts.

Sincerely,
David Green, CEO and Founder of Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc.

I am sick and tired seeing these religious fanatics making excuses for the health of their employees and Obamacare. This is just a dam excuse because he is cheap.

 

[musical marv]

Another loopy religious nut trying to impose his religious and moral principles on the rest of us.

Good luck with the lawsuit ... feeding a heap of lawyers in the process.

/akwardmoment

100% correct Sir

 

[JAYDEEJOHN]

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.

Just read this, apply it towards the constitution

 

[wanamingo]

Most if not all drug prescription plans make exceptions for women who need contraception for reasons other than birth control. If a woman needs oral contraception to regulate heavy menstruation, as hormone stabilizers, or prevent ovarian cysts, etc then it is no longer using contraception as contraception. At that point doctors and insurers consider the prescription a "medical necessity" as it changes the nature of the reason for taking the contraception from strictly being for birth control to being necessary for maintaining health and/or lifestyle.

There may be a minority of religious organizations that choose a specific health insurer because they do not cover oral contraception as part of the base package, but I venture that those companies are in the extreme minority. Most likely, religious organizations, like any other company managing health care costs, choose their health care insurer based on cost for value and the amount of coverage provided.

The irony of this whole issue is that there are many religious (Catholic) organizations that already provide oral contraception as part of the overall package offered by their health insurer. Which only plays into the fallacy of politicizing contraception as a women's health issue.

Thats not what the guy wants, he doesnt want to offer any form of birth control for any reason, the owner considers them abortion drugs.

I also find it interesting that right around obamacare time people suddenly start caring... Did you know that 28 states already covered contraceptives before obamacare? There was no problem before. Heres a good example of a religious institution that had been offering birth control as a part of its health care.

There are already religious exceptions, its not like anyone is going to burn in hellfire because a cashier at a hobby lobby is is using contraceptive. And even if you do go to hell for practicing safe sex thats no god I want a part of.

Hes a loony who is forcing morality on his employees.

 

[wanamingo]

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.

Just read this, apply it towards the constitution

Which companies did the government pardon from the mandate because of cost or convenience?

 

[wanamingo]

Thanks for the copy pasta but that info is next to useless.

Why are they exempt? Whats with all of the asterisks? Who compiled the list? Why cant I find it anywhere else?

 

[riser]

Nothing wrong with a company not wanting to pay for select medical care they don't believe in. Certain areas should be exempt such as birth control and things their religion is against. Since they are being forced into providing something they are religiously against as a FAMILY owned company, I back them. If they were not family owned, I wouldn't really care.

 

[wanamingo]

Nothing wrong with a company not wanting to pay for select medical care they don't believe in. Certain areas should be exempt such as birth control and things their religion is against. Since they are being forced into providing something they are religiously against as a FAMILY owned company, I back them. If they were not family owned, I wouldn't really care.

So if the owners of a company are Jehovah Witnesses they can remove a blood transfusion from your healthcare because it doesn't match their beliefs?

 

[JBB-SaDo]

There are already religious exceptions, its not like anyone is going to burn in hellfire because a cashier at a hobby lobby is is using contraceptive. And even if you do go to hell for practicing safe sex thats no god I want a part of.

He is not trying to mandate what his employees believe. He,

Spoiler

wants *the right back* to believe what he wants, and not have the Gov tell him what he can believe.

Hes a loony who is forcing morality on his employees.[/quotemsg]

He not "Forcing" his employees to work for him, as an employer I believe, in The U.S he still has the *right* to run his business anyway he deems fit. he is fighting because that right is being taken away.

 

[wanamingo]

So what you are saying now is that before a company hires a person they have to tell them what the owners religious beliefs are and if those beliefs interfere with your beliefs you have to seek work elsewhere?

And freedom of religion doesn't extend into the workplace.... Thats an awfully slippery slope you are on.

 

[JBB-SaDo]

So what you are saying now is that before a company hires a person they have to tell them what the owners religious beliefs are and if those beliefs interfere with your beliefs you have to seek work elsewhere?

I didn't say The company should be forced to tell them before they employ someone.

And freedom of religion doesn't extend into the workplace.... Thats an awfully slippery slope you are on.

Yeah I am, aren't I.
Faith has an place in everything we do. no matter what you believe, Your "religion or "non religion" it affects the decisions you make in life.

 

[riser]

So if the owners of a company are Jehovah Witnesses they can remove a blood transfusion from your healthcare because it doesn't match their beliefs?

If it were a private business, yes, they should not have to pay for that portion that they do not believe in. It can be listed as not covered and the individual can purchase the necessary insurance or pay out of pocket expenses. Again, only as a private business where the owners' religion factors in and what they pay for directly impacts their religious beliefs.

You are OK with removing the separation of Church and State?

 

[wanamingo]

Slippery slope here gentlemen.

Tomorrow all the Waltons convert to The Church of the First Born and suddenly they have to provide no healthcare coverage?

Healthcare should be a human right, not to be decided by your employer......

You also realize this leaves a huge door open for sharia.....

 

[wanamingo]

I am all for the separation of church and state. But I also believe that access to healthcare is a human right, one that shouldnt be infringed upon.... Once you have a person blocking you from a basic human right because of THEIR religion it becomes a freedom of religion (Or lack of) issue.

 

[JBB-SaDo]

Slippery slope here gentlemen.

Tomorrow all the Waltons convert to The Church of the First Born and suddenly they have to provide no healthcare coverage?

Healthcare should be a human right, not to be decided by your employer......

You also realize this leaves a huge door open for sharia.....

I am not saying heathcare should be decided by your employer.....and not by the Gov. You should have the choice of what insurance you have.

 

[wanamingo]

I am not saying heathcare should be decided by your employer.....and not by the Gov. You should have the choice of what insurance you have.

Unless your employer has a problem with it on religious grounds.... That choice is being removed because of someone elses BS.

Im all for deciding what healthcare you want to have, you dont have to get contraception if you dont want to. The decision should be yours not the gov or your employer.

Something like 98% of women will use birth control at some point in their lives, but only a few percent of men will need viagra. Why should that be covered but birth control isnt?