Posted on 01/05/2013 3:20:48 PM PST by GiovannaNicoletta
This letter is a very sad example of what happens when our personal freedoms and liberties are taken away. America wasn’t built on this, readers, and we absolutely must share this to show people the impact the Obama administration is having on every-day Americans.
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.
Today, was a grassroots unofficial “Support Hobby Lobby Day”. I’ve seen several postings from friends on FB about it, and have reposted the messages.
Today, I went to Hobby Lobby and bought a few decorative items as a way of support. The 4 lanes were busy and periodically they got backed up with 8-10 people so hopefully, they will see an uptick in their sales for today.
Maybe so, but they damn sure can and will kill you if you don't. And this Government that the majority said, via their votes, are more than ready and willing to do just that.
Hobby Lobby’s in Memphis Tennessee were covered over today!!!!!!!!!!
I wish them well, but I think it is going to take mass civil disobedience and many companies and state governments saying NO MORE to the tyrant.
Covered over with what?
I enjoy shopping at Hobby Lobby too, but a special day like this can’t compensate them for $1.3 million PER DAY in government fines. Either they must cut all their employees back to 29.9 hours per week or declare bankruptcy. Either would make the Administration happy.
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances”
Just word, just speeches...
I wonder if there is any way to offer medical insurance to them without the abortion stuff. There HAS to be a company out there that would offer insurance without paying for that kind of stuff. I just refuse to believe that there is not. It does not make sense to me. I wonder if this guy is using this as an excuse to drop the insurance or something. If I was the owner, I would be trying everything in my power to find some alternative. Plus doesn’t this mandatory insurance stuff begin in 2014???? Why is he sweating this now????
We shop at Hobby Lobby just for Christmas stuff, but now we’ll be visiting more often. There has to be a way to use the mandate against the government.
“NO MORE !!!” . . to the Tyrant.
I also went to Hobby Lobby today. Bought some glue. Spoke to the manager and told him I am 100% behind his company’s efforts in this matter.
It may take civil disobedience, but nobama has got to learn you don’t screw around with people’s religious beliefs.
"And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves..."
Mr. Green knows how 'things' work...
I just placed an online order, nothing I really needed but I want to encourage them to keep up the fight. Shipping was only $2.....good deal.
I ordered gifts for the future from Hobby Lobby online today. ;-)
There’s still time for you to do the same. They only charge $2 for shipping.
I adore Hobby Lobby...I always feel like I’ve walked into a wonderland! My prayers for them...the Lord knows their situation and they are in His hand.
It’s a southern term. PEOPLE!
Choosing between government or God? Thank you for choosing God.
Thanks! I have printed the letter and will post it in church tomorrow!!!!
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