So recently, Papa John spoke again publicly, apparently to respond to his critics, regarding his previous remarks on how Papa John’s Pizzerias will deal with Obamacare.

According to the CEO, he was answering questions from a dastardly journalist who crashed a college lecture in which he was sharing his experience as an entrepreneur.  The journalist (bad guy) was asking him if Papa John’s would cut employees and their hours to deal with Obamacare, and he replied that his franchises, which are not owned and controlled by him, would likely do that.  He now says that he’s cool with the fact that we all get to have insurance, and it doesn’t put him at a competitive disadvantage since it’s required of all, but he warned, we all still have to pay for it.  

Well, good for you Mr. Schnatter.  In fact, Papa John said that 100 percent of his corporate employees get medical insurance benefits, as do his employees at the franchises he owns.

I hope he understands the point his critics were trying to make.  I do think he gets it – he’s obviously an extremely smart guy – and that point is this: No matter how important or unimportant the job, we should value the people that do each job because each and every person has a part to play in the success of a business.

We should, at the very least, reward people who work hard, play by the rules, and are honest at their work, with basic benefits that maintain their health and contribute to their happiness.  This is not just good business sense, it’s a moral issue.  So I hope the college in which Papa John was visiting also teaches business ethics. 

I hope the Sam Walton heirs are paying attention.  There’s something obscene about people doing an honest day's work, but having also to live off of government assistance, while their bosses are the Forbes top 1, 2, 3, 4 richest people in the country. 

Thanks Mr. Schnatter, but I still prefer my own pizza.