Here are the alternatives.

 

Several restaurant chains have announced that the burdens of Obamacare are forcing them to take measures such as limiting all their employees to 30 hours a week or less. Elizabeth Walley thinks they are "spiteful, cheap businesses that hurt their employees to score political points." She recommends not patronizing those establishments. I guess she thinks closing and laying off employees is more advantageous to the employee than curtailed hours.

 

Actually, Elizabeth, a restaurant has little to gain from hurting its employees. And most restaurants are in business to make a profit -- not influence politicians. What they are dealing with is an economic reality. The money, and we're talking a lot of money, has to come from somewhere. But, to humor you, here are some alternatives.

 

Higher prices -- how much more are you willing to pay so that the business can continue to keep all its employees at full time?

 

Lower quality food -- the restaurant can cut back on portion size and food quality. Instead of the best beef, they can buy an inferior grade. Instead of Grade A large eggs, they can buy small eggs. Instead of the best vegetables, they can buy the culls. They can water down the sodas and the tea and coffee. 

 

Fewer employees -- should the restaurant fire enough of its workforce to be able to continue carrying the rest full time?

 

Less efficient service -- with fewer employees, you can bet your service won't be what it once was. So will you cut back on the tips for a worker who is already trying to cover for the two employees the restaurant had to let go?

 

Fewer locations -- In order to keep the number of employees below the Obamacare limit, some chains will probably close some of their locations or not expand where they had planned to. Instead of driving a couple of miles to that Olive Garden, you may have to drive 10 or 20 miles.

 

Less profit -- the restaurant owner may decide that it's no longer profitable enough for him to stay in business, so he'll just close up altogether and do something else. Then no one will have a job, and you won't have a choice of where to go eat.

 

So, Elizabeth, you tell us -- which alternative is the best one? Don't know? I'll give you a hint -- REPEAL!

 

"Do your staff right." The Dallas Morning News; November 14, 2012; p. 18A.