Amy Johnson’s recent article on sex, pregnancy and Hobby Lobby contained some very good advice on how to avoid pregnancy. Tip #1: Don’t have sex. Solid advice. Tip #2: Use protection, specifically a condom. Also solid advice.

However, she lost me when she brought Hobby Lobby into a conversation about avoiding pregnancy. I don’t get it. What’s the connection?

Half the article dealt with the personal beliefs of the founder, David Green, and the business decisions and policies he makes for his private company. The company that he built, by the way.

Yes, that’s right. He built it. And he owns it. And he can make whatever policies and business decisions he chooses. And by the way, his employees choose to work there of their own free will. That’s the beauty of a free-market society. If you don’t like your job or the policies and benefits, find a new job.

If Ms. Johnson doesn’t agree with his pro-life policies, she has the right to vote with her money. Michael’s, Jo Ann’s or any mass retailer probably have the craft or hobby item she’s looking for. She’s free to spend her money where she wants to and support the businesses she believes in, just like all of us can.

But why vilify a business owner and his company simply because he chooses to run his business contrary to her beliefs and moral compass?

I would never suggest that I or anyone limit her First Amendment right to free speech and sharing her opinion, but when it’s done in such a public manner as to sway public opinion against a new business partner in our community for a reason such as this, I am compelled to exercise my free speech and publicly support and encourage hobby enthusiasts throughout Federal Way and South King County to support Hobby Lobby and welcome them into our community.

I don’t know this for a fact, but I would think that not all employees of Hobby Lobby share the same religious and moral convictions as their founder. Furthermore, I would venture to say that the average Hobby Lobby employee has no idea what Mr. Green believes, or even what his political and religious leanings are. Except for the ones the media is exploiting.

Similarly, I would think that most people don’t share the same religious and moral convictions of their bosses or owners. I know I don’t. But that’s part of what makes our great country unique. The fabric of our country is woven together with many different types of “thread.”

The pro-choice movement in America and secular liberals are obviously irritated with the positions that Mr. Green has taken publicly and it’s no secret that Hobby Lobby is fighting for their values in federal court.

But what you don’t hear in the liberal media is what Hobby Lobby is doing for its employees. Hobby Lobby is closed on Sundays — virtually unheard of in the retail world. I wish the company I worked for was closed on Sundays.

Hobby Lobby recently raised its minimum wage for full-time employees to $14 an hour and to $9.50 an hour for part-time employees. In spite of the tough economic climate we have endured over the past five years, Hobby Lobby has increased wages for hourly full-time employees in each of those five years, and has raised part-time wages for the past four consecutive years.

With the recent increase, full-time hourly employees are making nearly double the federal minimum wage, and higher than our state minimum wage, yet that fact is nowhere to be found in the liberal media.

A quick Google search landed me on a CareerBuilders page with a Hobby Lobby job listing, where I discovered a full range of benefits. If I were unemployed, Hobby Lobby might be an interesting option to consider.

My intent isn’t for this article to become a job posting or advertisement for Hobby Lobby, but I simply can’t read Ms. Johnson’s article and not wonder what her true motive is. If it was just a rant, that’s great. She’s entitled to that. But if it was something more, then this is “my turn” to respond to her.

Federal Way is a tough enough place for businesses to grow and prosper. Let’s not run a new business partner out of town simply because we disagree with the founder’s beliefs and company policies.

If you don’t like it, shop somewhere else. But remember that some of our neighbors are counting on the success of Hobby Lobby for the well being of themselves and their families. And their growing families…you know, when the condom breaks!

On a serious note, unwanted or unexpected pregnancies can be very difficult for a woman. Anyone who finds themselves in an unplanned pregnancy, hurting from a previous abortion, needing parenting support or seeking sexual and relational guidance can contact Care Net Pregnancy and Family Services here in Federal Way at (253) 941-2664 or email fedway@carenetps.org.