Editor:

When did I, a small business owner, become my employee’s parent?

I do not understand how I became responsible for my employees’ responsibilities. Why, as an employer, did it become my job to take care of their health-care needs?

I am a small businessperson that works hard and struggles in an economy that is extremely tight now. You see, my men could buy their own health-care insurance, but they choose to spend their monies on other things. They enjoy hunting, fishing, buying football tickets, motorcycles, WaveRunners, etc.

They have the right to purchase or indulge in these pastimes, because they have worked hard. However, on the other side, why should I, as an employer, buy their health insurance if they choose not to because of the above-mentioned choices? Why, as an employer, should I take my hard-earned money and pay for their health insurance when they choose not to?

Again, how did I become their PARENT?

Why should I be responsible for the decision for their personal health insurance or lifestyle?

My overhead is very tight, especially right now. If Congress gives me more overhead by forcing me to pay for health-care insurance for my employees, I will not be able to remain in business. My failure would possibly be either a fine or jail. Therefore, I would not be able to stay in business and would have to let my employees go. I would then have to become someone else’s employee and they would have to buy my health-care insurance.

So, once again, the same scenario occurs.

Once again, how did I become my employees’ PARENT?

I am asking just to be responsible for my own family responsibilities and myself. I believe it is my employees’ responsibility to take care of their own families.

Small businesses are the backbone of this country. Please, Congress, do not break our backs.

Let us work and service America as we have always done.

Rodney K. Crocker

Summerdale