Friday, November 16, 2012
Twinkies and Christian Values
I admit I log into Facebook rather frequently, it is a well known medical condition after all. However, at the moment, FB is populated with all sorts of posts either lamenting or celebrating the loss of the venerable Twinkie. For those who have just come back to earth, the issue surrounds the fact that Hostess is filing for immediate cessation of all production at it's plants around the country. This means everything from Twinkies, Apple Pies and the cupcakes with the swirlie things on top. this move will affect more than 18,000 workers, who may soon be out of work.Hostess is just one of a growing number of companies who have decided, in the days following the election, to strike back against the results of that election. Rather than pay for health care for all of it's workers, Hostess decided to go out of business. They joined a growing list of conservative business ventures who have decided that rather than pay for health benefits for their employees, they are going to employ draconian avoidance measures to 'save money'. Papa John's Pizza is going to cut back the hours of its employees in order to avoid having full-time workers, since only full-time employees are eligible for coverage under the new law. Additionally, they are considering a surcharge on their products to cover the cost of the heathcare premiums for those full time persons they still have on the payroll. There is one Denny's franchise owner who announced yesterday they are following the same strategy. At the same time, many of these owners proclaim their Christian values. That seems to me to be a contradiction of serious concern. Jesus said to his disciples in the book of Matthew Chapter 25: 35 For
I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you
gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ These are the values we as Christians need to follow. To care for the sick, feed the hungry, house the homeless, free the prisoners and clothe the naked. This is a matter of justice. A matter of profit over the health of our brothers and sisters.On the other hand, it will actually do my health wonders if they keep this up, so maybe they should keep going with this. After all, now I won't have those empty calories from the junk food they peddle. My wallet will be fatter from not spending it at Denny's, Circle K and others (Purveyors of Twinkies), and at Papa Johns. And with the money I save, I can donate to those agencies that offer healthcare to the poor, ummm.....Planned Parenthood perhaps?
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