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I sit here in amusement at the hypocrisy and ignorance of the anti-Papa John’s movement.   They are the ones who put photos on Facebook calling CEO John Schnatter an “asshole” because he runs a promotion (common for businesses) giving away 2 million pizzas and now raises prices and cuts hours to deal with the cost burden of imposed government regulation.   These are mutually exclusive activities.

For anyone with half a brain, it’s easy to understand that the pizza give-away is a strategic marketing decision.  Like most businesses that engage in similar efforts, the goal is to raise brand awareness in hopes of gathering more customers and increase revenue.   This isn’t lost revenue and the free pizza’s certainly don’t cost Papa John’s the “market value” of the pizzas.  Not by a long shot.  This is no different than “buy one get one free”, $5.00 off, or television advertisement.   It’s a planned advertising/marketing cost with a goal of raising revenue.  Of course, the most ignorant of Americans don’t understand this simple concept.

Also common for businesses is to raise the price of their goods or services and reduce other expenses when faced with long term, unprecedented costs.  Just like Papa John’s would adjust for a long term increase in costs of goods (cheese, pepperoni, tomato sauce, etc.), they also will make adjustments to deal with the  expense of government regulation.  In this case, Obamacare.   Get a clue here folks, Papa John’s is a business, not a charity.

Within the same topic, I find it even more absurd that there is this uproar over Papa John’s cutting hours and raising prices while there is nothing but silence over HUGE Obama donor Stryker laying off over 1,100 people specifically due to Obamacare.   Why call Schnatter nasty names but not John Stryker?  Does Stryker get a bye because he donated $2 million to Obama Super PAC Priorities USA and $66,000 directly to Obama and the DNC?  Hello kettle, meet pot.  Clearly these hypocrites are not the brightest America has to offer.

I think I understand why so many of these liberals are confused.  After four years of Obama, they aren’t used to the leader of an organization actually doing what they say they’ll do.   In this case, the promise of layoffs, raised pricing and cuts in hours is EXACTLY what these people said would happen.  You’re either incredibly ignorant or just plain dumb to be surprised that this is happening.  Here’s a news flash for you:  IT’S JUST THE BEGINNING!!!   Obamacare isn’t even in full implementation and it was sold using the accounting trick 10 years of revenue – 6 years of expense.  When the accounting equals out… ouch!

While some people may stay in their little protective, fantasy bubble of “hope and change”, businesses will continue to do what they normally do.  They will offset excessive costs (including regulatory cost) by raising prices on consumer goods or cutting other expenses.  Some will work within the framework of the regulation to save costs (aka reduced hours or not expanding beyond 50 employees).  Unfortunately, some people still can’t grasp the concept that unlike the federal government, businesses have to live within a budget or they fold.  To blame them for what is normal business reaction to excessive government regulation is simply ignorant at best.

Layoffs, cuts in hours, and higher costs of goods and services was all expected to happen if Obama was re-elected.  Nothing is free.  So while you’re celebrating the 2nd term of Obama, you can’t blame the companies who are now simply following through on the result of your vote.