The recent denial by Supreme Court Justice Sotomayor of Hobby Lobby Stores' application for an emergency injunction protecting them from the HHS Mandate on abortion and birth control highlights a critical error in the plan. The Government must not force a business to financially contribute to the means of ending a human life, whether or not that means has been legalized.
To fine a company to the point where it will go out of business for defending its beliefs on an issue about which the nation is passionately divided is egregious and unfairly punitive.
We petition therefore to abate the penalties until the case has been decided and to implement an equitable alternative means of coverage that protects the rights of such businesses to operate in accordance with their religious beliefs.