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OBAMACARE

Two Workers Fired For Backing Obama

Utah company lays off Obama voters "to cover new Obongocare costs"

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by Mary Noble

Senior Editor t

Image: AP

"Love it. We had to let two employees go to cover new Obongocare [sic] costs and increased taxes," wrote Utah business owner Terry Lee. "Found two Obongo supporters and gave them the news yesterday. They wanted the idiot in the Whitehouse, they reap the benefits."

Lee posted his remarks in a comment thread on the Salt Lake Tribune's website, on their story about the Utah smoothie bar that charges liberals $1 more. When he was contacted by the Tribune he confirmed the story, and told the paper that he chose which employees to fire partly based on their political beliefs.

"They were Obama supporters. We just knew they were," Lee said. "I implied that sort of tongue and cheek [in the comments section] but there were other issues, too. They were not top performers."

Lee's company, Terry Lee Forensics, currently employes nine people. Obamacare requires that businesses with over 50 employees cover health insurance for full-time employees.

Lee's actions are legal under Utah and federal law, although some other states bar firing employees for their politics. He himself said he wasn't sure if he'd acted illegally. "Is your political affiliation protected? I don't believe it is, but I don't know."

Via the Salt Lake Tribune. H/T Politix user JesseJaymes.
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Comments (view in Forum)

  • u
    Illinois-Jeff
    !
    Tea party is not a racist organization this liberal demonization of everything they don't agree with is disgusting. There is no intelligent discussion just bashing. You are what is wrong with this country.
  • u
    Cheenoguy
    !
    @Illinois-Jeff
    That does make sense. This country's downfall could coencide with my birth. I just assumed it was Reagan, but now I see that it must be me. Glad you pointed that out.
  • DARSB
    !
    @Illinois-Jeff

    Adventures in Irony - "There is no intelligent discussion just bashing. You are what is wrong with this country"
  • View all 51 replies >
  • frigginhell
    !
    The point of this post and how it relates to the article? A man who runs a forensics research company and gets government and law enforcement jobs just fired someone for political affiliation. He's gutless and denying it now, but that's because most people who run their mouths are just that, people who run their mouths. His business is dependent in a large part on money provided by agencies that use taxpayer dollars. He can run it how he sees fit and hire who he wants to. He wants to discriminate against someone because of political affiliation then it's time to yank any business he gets from taxpayers.
  • harold_lloyd
    !
    Is Obama the root of all evil or just the scapegoat so you can try to duck responsibility for the consequences of the Bush 43 presidency?

    Teabaggers are so silly. If it were fify years ago, Obama would be a moderate Republican, and teabaggers would be called right-wing extremists by Barry Goldwater.
  • jessejaymes
    !
    And so it begins. You think for a second that those fired aren't going to take him to court? Just what we need. More litigation and in the end armed insurrection. And you right wingers need to start thinking this through. You abuse those "sissy lefties" enough they'll get guns too.
  • u
    Penn1699
    !
    Give us a break please.
    Are you suggesting the left isn't armed?
    This employer also stated there were other issues that factored into these employees' release.
  • jessejaymes
    !
    @Penn1699 He publicly stated that Obamacare and their support for Obama was the primary reason. I have experience with at will termination. You can terminate without cause with at will. Once you establish a cause you lose that right to terminate without cause because you have established an identifiable cause of your own doing and therefore cause becomes a legal factor. Case in point. A man at a newspaper was accused of trying to kiss a 16 year old. The Newspaper fired him stating he was in violation of sexual predator laws. They did not inform the police nor did they investigate the case. He filed against the paper and ultimately got a settlement of nearly half a million dollars. In an at will state. Had they of simply fired him without stating cause they would not be liable. Once you state cause then at will become moot and cause become relevant. His stating "other causes" does not apply either way. His stating that he was firing for supporting Obama does not apply in Utah. His stating he is firing for expenses he is not actually subject to is cause for examination. He will lose.
  • martydotcom
    !
    I'm sure this clown wouldn't be broadcasting for all to hear w/o checking all legalities. A SLC judge will probably say " boys" it's dumb to talk politics at work when a racist signs the paycheck ( sp of Obama care no error)
  • jessejaymes
    !
    @martydotcom He admitted he didn't know the legalities. I don't think the workers will get it out Utah but I think a smart lawyer can get it to federal appeals and prevail.
  • View all 38 replies >
  • jessejaymes
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    Except for one thing Ashstop if you read the entire article. the owner only had 9 employees. He didn't have to pay into Obamacare. Those employees will win in court due to his big mouth. He admitted publicly to firing them for an expense that doesn't exist. They'll win.
  • Ashstop
    !
    @jessejaymes
    I know you will be happy then, another small business owner gone and 2 freeloaders have his money
  • jessejaymes
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    @Ashstop He wasn't subject to obamacare. That is not acceptable. He took two people's jobs based on "you just knew they were Obama supporters" and put them on the streets for their SUPPOSED political affiliations. Then bragged about it. He will lose. And he should. I wouldn't support him firing two people for supporting Romney if the situation were reversed. Man you're some kind of seriously biased.
  • View all 32 replies >
  • PoliticalSpice
    !
    Exactly why people like me are trying to change the country, thete was a time he could avoid hiring or justify firing on the basis of race or sex, it sounds like he had a legal basis, still I hope these guys sue him and it cost hundreds of thousands in legal fees to defnd. Even if he wins, it'll cost him.
  • jessejaymes
    !
    @PoliticalSpice We all have our own biases and you can probably get away with them in your hiring if you're halfway cautious. But if you do hire them you better have your ducks lined up these days when you fire them in California.
  • PoliticalSpice
    !
    @jessejaymes California law is much more protective of employees then other states. I think this guy may win if sued, but if a sypathetic lawyer decided to give it a try, even if the guy who fired them wins, je'll have legal fees of thousands, maybe even tens of thousands of dollars in cost. If i lived in utah i'd that the case for free just to cost this guy a fortune.
  • jessejaymes
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    @PoliticalSpice That's what I'm thinking. A good attorney can make this even bigger nationally. Can you imagine a well known attorney with a following who takes this pro bono and works it for all the last leaves to overturn. He could have a field day with this. And get a good settlement. Guy has to have insurance for this kind of work.
  • frigginhell
    !
    First off, his business if a forensics research facility. Guess who pays most of his bills? Secondly, as is par for the course and this article fails to mention, your great champion against the evil liberal is backpeddling and saying now he fired them for poor performance and the obama thing was just a tongue in cheek joke. Why do you ask? Well it's certainly true in this country you can pretty well fire anyone for anything at any time. It's the way it goes. But now he's gone gutless and into bitch mode.He's going into CYA mentality because he realizes his actions may have consequences for his business and people might actually listen to him run his mouth and not agree with him.
    He wants to run a foresenics business and fire people over political affiliations? Fine, no more work on the taxpayers dime. It's that simple. End of discussion.
  • View all 21 replies >
  • PoliticalSpice
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    @Cheenoguy I doubt they win win that in a state like utah it may not even be a cause of action, in most places you can be fired for a good reason, bad reason or no teason at all unless you are under contract or unless it is discrimination based on race, sex, religion or ethnicity/nationality.

    Still I hope they sue, even if he wins it could cost him thousands, tens of thousands, even hundreds of thousands in attorney fees to defend.
  • u
    Veronika
    !
    @PoliticalSpice --You really need to take a 'beginner class' in English composition(I doubt they win win? that in a state--- Your sentence doesn't make any sense! You group all your thoughts together and your lack of punctuation stinks. Please consider going to first grade with your child; you might learn something. Your ignorance is showing.
    You might want to think about changing "PoliticalSpice' to 'Clueless'.
  • PoliticalSpice
    !
    @Veronika I just do not think this site is worth correcting typos, grammar or spelling. I do this for fun. I actually have a professional degree. So I could care less what a rude idiot thinks.
  • hwyangel
    !
    @PoliticalSpice

    Legal or not I don't believe that anyone can read this topic and not see how wrong it is. It is because I value my own beliefs that I am willing to tolerate even those beliefs that I don't agree with.
  • View all 8 replies >
  • KRKelly
    !
    First off, it sounds like Utah is an "employement at will" state so the owner was within his rights. Secondly, he (the owner) states there where other reasons for the termination. I would imangine he's documented these reasons. It may be smarter for these two employees to move on rather than fight it and having their performance subjecxt to public review.
  • ST_Louie_Sue
    !
    With the exception of California, New York, Connecticut, Colorado and Mississippi
    they are the only states that have additional laws prohibiting firings based on political affiliation. Looks like the Obama supporters must reap what they sowed. Dese chickens have come home to roost.
  • Denizen_Kate
    !
    No one should ever be fired for their political views. In fact, politics is one of two subjects that one should never discuss in the workplace. The fact is, this guy is a bully. Yes, it's his business, but what he did was spiteful and mean, I don't care what your politics are. He may have a legal right, but do you really think this is okay? What if it were you, and your boss fired you because he or she doesn't like conservatives? Would that be okay?
  • ST_Louie_Sue
    !
    @Denizen_Kate Like it or not, the owner of the business broke no law. Bully is the new word of the PC crowd when they don't like something.Oh yes, and racist which will never go out of style.
  • Denizen_Kate
    !
    @ST_Louie_Sue - Answer the question: would it be okay if your boss fired you just because of your political views? Would that boss not be a bully in your opinion? I never said he broke the law (although that's arguable), but come on! It's easy for you to sit comfy in your home and talk about these two people with expressions like "chickens have come home to roost" but you could at least PRETEND to have some human compassion for two people who are now out of work because their bully of a boss thought they were probably Obama supporters. As to the racist remark, Terry Lee is the one who called it "Obongocare" and like it or not, that IS a racist remark.
  • View all 18 replies >
  • Waynestew
    !
    First of all this dude only had nine employees he was not even affected by the ACA. SECONDLY HE DIDN'T EVEN KNOW IF THEY REALLY VOTED FOR OBAMA SINCE VOTING IS ANONYMOUS. You know the sad reality of this whole situation is in Robiny would've gotten office and things would have gotten worse all the conservatives would have been okay what whatever.
  • RoyFloyd
    !
    He's within his rights, but I would advise Mr. Terry Lee to have even the most miniscule details covered in adherence to any and all federal laws, particularly with the IRS. Vengeance based on politics is such a petty and undignified thing, but it does happen.
  • marine1
    !
    here in illinois, contributions to political parties will get you all kinds of god jobs, depending on the amount of course.
  • RoyFloyd
    !
    @marine1 Everywhere in the country contributions to corrupt b@stahhds will get you the same: Jobs, code variances, no-bid contracts. A few grand to get juiced in locally pays off tens or hundreds of times the initial investment. Naturally it'll cost a lot more on a state or federal level, but it works the same.
  • u
    Realthinker
    !
    So he fires two non performers and all of a sudden he's the subject of another one of Politix's efforts to stir up hatred against conservatives.
    Dear Politix: the hatred you are fomenting against conservatives is just as evil as hatred of blacks and homosexuals.
  • Denizen_Kate
    !
    He's a conservative. He fired them because they aren't. He even admitted that. The "low performance" bit was thrown in as an afterthought. He's a bully. Politix isn't fomenting hatred against conservatives, but men like Terry Lee are doing a really good job of it.
  • u
    Realthinker
    !
    @Denizen_Kate I disagree. These days employers must have an ironclad case against a worker in order to avoid a lawsuit. The man was simply pulling a few chains with his snarky Obama comments, which are far less derogatory than the comments one sees on this forum about conservatives. I do believe Politix and the Democrat party are fomenting hatred against conservatives and it is no different than the hate they *claim* to be 'exposing'.
  • russ
    !
    Terry Lee has the right to be a moron.....I'm not so concerned about the probable litigation.....but I do see welfare in Mr Lee's future....ggrrr, more tax dollars....
  • u
    Jim49418
    !
    Sometimes it's just a good idea to keep your political, and religious belief's to yourself, and not bring them into the work place.
    These two, who according to the article were not "top performers" so they were probably already on the owners radar for termination before hand, and had to be aware that they were working for a small business which in most cases that would mean they worked for a conservative business owner, chose to flaunt the fact that they supported Obama.

    "Lee's actions are legal under Utah and federal law"

    The really sad truth to this, is that the two liberals, that were fired legally by their employer will probably find some liberal lawyer to sue that employer, and put the rest of those former co-worker out of their jobs. Thats just what liberals do.
    They will get paid hansomely for doing nothing, while putting others out of their jobs.
    Go Obama!
  • rkinsawjoe
    !
    "they were Obama supporters..we just knew they were" This means Lee and whoever else did the deciding about what these folks politics were,maybe they were black or gay or whatever else this guy considers liberal. It's not a stretch then to assume that they were not considered top performers simply by virtue of being "whatever". I can't imagine that not working for Terry Lee anymore would be that tragic...he sounds like a real sweetheart. But I'd let a lawyer see what could be done to make 'ol Terry regret being such a loudmouthed jackass.
  • u
    Jim49418
    !
    @rkinsawjoe Good luck in your quest for getting something for nothing!
    It's allways the same dribble,.........
    Facts are stubborn things.
    "Lee's actions are legal under Utah and federal law"
    You can whine all you want..........
    What Lee did was legal.
    You liberals just want everything in return for nothing on your own part.
    You reap what you sowe, and thats what you can look forwad to.
  • rkinsawjoe
    !
    @Jim49418 Oh,was that whining? I didn't say I'd look to get anything from Lee. What I said was that I'd see how sorry and petty he could be made to feel by having to explain his contemptable behaviour in court. You see, I'm not calling him out on a liberal vs conservative basis. I'm questioning his manhood, I'm saying he conducted himself like a smart assed 12 year old kid and that HE should reap what HE has sewn. For the record, I don't believe I've ever asked for or gotten anything for nothing. But I do have very strict and conservative ideas on how a man should carry himself and it is those ideas,not a liberal world view, that make it impossible for me to agree with let alone stand up for the the likes Lee,Limbaugh,Beck or the tea party. Because they act like children calling people names, telling lies for the truth, pretending that those who don't believe just as they do are in every way wrong and are undeserving of respect as American citizens. I blame all parties equally for the state of our economy and society, but this new breed of "patriot" has brought civil discourse to new lows and drug names like conservative and patriot through the mud.
  • jessejaymes
    !
    @rkinsawjoe Kinda hard to believe that someone like Lee has the intelligence to own a business that survives isn't it? Probably inherited it with 200 employees and busy running it into the ground.
  • u
    Jim49418
    !
    Some 60% of Americans work for "small companies"
    Many of those companies will have to let people go, just to avoid having to provide "Obamacare" for their employee's.
    This is just the begining people.
    Expect to see a lot more of this.
  • Granny_Grey
    !
    It depends on what you define as small businesses or companies. Those companies that have less than 50 employees do not have to provide health care to their employees. In fact those companies that have less than 15 workers do not have to abide by Title VII laws.
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