"employers should be able to fire or hire based on whatever reason they want. It's their business."
Yes, it's their business.
But their business is able to operate because of a system of public enforcement of contracts through the courts, and public protection of property and rights through the police forces. The system of law is what allows commerce to function so well in America, and allows the employer to operate secure in his possessions in the first place. The employer did not create that system of law, the people did. And the people have the right to regulate that which benefits from the system of laws.
Employers do not have the right to hire and fire for any reason whatsoever, and they should not be permitted that right.
They do not have the right to hire people based on their religious or ethnic affiliation. They do not have the right to fire women because they won't have sex with them, nor to demote them, cut their pay, or anything else. They do not have the right to refuse to hire Catholics or blacks. They do not have the right to hire employees at a dollar a day. They do not have the right to fire all Republicans who work for them. There are very, very many restrictions on what employers can do, and there should be. Employers are not kings, and opening up a shop to make money should not in any sense give anybody an exemption from the generally applicable laws. The businessman is able to make money in this country, and have it safe from theft, because of the public law and the public law enforcement. The public has the same right to impose laws upon what employers may or may not do as it does to impose speed limits on the roads. Don't want to have to obey the speed limits? Then don't drive. Don't want to have to obey the labor laws? Then don't go into business. Drive, and you have to obey the rules society sets. It's your car, but it's the public's road. Open a business, and you have to obey the rules the society sets. It's your store, but it's the public's society and community in which the store sits.
That is an extremely clear and articulated defense of fascism. You've clearly thought about this.
Excellent post.