Separation between shopping and politics? Nope

President Barack Obama’s plan to overhaul the health care system has some executives complaining that the additional health care requirements will cost their companies dearly.

The complaints themselves could end up costing the companies as well.

A Life Inc. post this week took a look at the brand perception beating that Papa John's, Applebee's and Denny's took in the wake of comments executives at those companies made about the possible effect of Obamacare on their business plans.

All three companies’ reputations suffered as a result of negative comments, according to research by YouGov BrandIndex, although Denny’s has since rebounded.

That may not be too surprising. Nearly 90 percent of the more than 26,000 people who took our online poll said that they take their business elsewhere when a CEO makes a comment they don’t agree with.

Most readers said they had very little sympathy for the executives who had complained about the costs of Obama’s health care plan overhaul.

 “There was a point in time when you could count on your employer to provide benefits for working for them. We have come so far away from that point, so rich CEOs can continue to get a pay increase each year and a kid with recurring strep throat can cost a family so much that they have to choose whether to get their child medical care or pay rent this month. No sympathy for these companies moaning and wailing that they will lose some money because they have to be forced to do the right thing,” one reader wrote.

Another reader said they thought the companies would ultimately suffer from their executives’ comments.

“If these companies did the right thing in the first place, Obamacare never would have been necessary. As far as I am concerned they can just go ahead and stop building new restaurants. Some new business will come along and take their place. It's called capitalism,” the reader wrote.

Still, others questioned whether people would really put their money where their mouths are, especially when their tummies started rumbling.

“Sitting here eating a Papa John's Pizza. Interesting article. There were 8 people in line ahead of me to pick up their order... I don't think sales have been hurt that much. Pizza tastes the same... MMMM, mmmmm, GOOOOOD!!!” one reader wrote.

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I was personal assistant to a franchise owner of one of these chains, greedy bastards all of them. The owner of this franchise immediately began plotting how to avoid ObamaCare, no matter the cost to the employees, when the law passed all while asking for "exceptions" for all out-of-pocket deductibles for himself and his wife from the company health insurance provider and getting his medical bill deductibles paid to his concierge doctor who charged a $5,000 per year conceirge fee. Oh, he expensed that $5,000 fee through the company too.

Meanwhile, full-time employees with a family of 5 costs over $800 per month employee contribution with deductibles on each at $1,000.

The president of this company said, and I quote, "These people who can't afford health care insurance should just die."

I really wish I was making that up but I am not. This contempt towards the middle and working class by wealthy individuals can now be known as the Willard Mitt Romney syndrome, now exposed for all to see thanks in great part to the brave individual who recorded the infamous 47% remarks and released the video tape.

  • 1 vote
Reply#1 - Fri Dec 7, 2012 10:13 PM EST

“Sitting here eating a Papa John's Pizza. Interesting article. There were 8 people in line ahead of me to pick up their order... I don't think sales have been hurt that much. Pizza tastes the same... MMMM, mmmmm, GOOOOOD!!!” one reader wrote

Must be the owners mom becuase papa johns is the worst crap ever! Looks and smells like vomit on a bread shell

    Reply#2 - Sun Dec 9, 2012 12:42 PM EST

    No Papa Johns, Applebees or Dennys ever again There are too many locally owned restaurants that have 10 times better food and the money they make stays in the communitybecause they buy the ingredients here. Did I mention that the pizza puts Papa Johns to shame... Buy Local live better

      Reply#3 - Wed Dec 12, 2012 3:50 AM EST
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