An Open Letter

To the businessman I was speaking to last night:

You told me that if you have to provide health insurance to your employees you will be forced to reduce them to part-time.

I don't believe that for a minute.  You were smart enough to create and build a business large enough to employ 50 people.  You weathered the economic distress of the past decade and you figured out ways to deal with growing costs.  I believe that you have the wherewithal to pay your employees a living wage and provide them needed health insurance.

If that is not so, then you as a business owner in the community have the clout to insist that our government tax us all in order that we all contribute to this expense, so that we all can be assured of health care.

As an important member of the Charleston business community, it is in your interest -- and mine -- to ensure that the employees who work with you towards the success of your business earn a living wage and have the security of good health care.

In Charleston, in 2013, we can do this.

Sincerely,
Agnes