Defending the Unpopular

“Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend.” - Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Defending the Unpopular

Commentary by Sanford D. Horn

June 26, 2018

Remaining steadfast in my belief that less government is best, I would be hypocritical to not, yet again, defend the unpopular; albeit doing so knowing that through the American system of capitalism and justice, these things work themselves out.

There has been more than just a little consternation over the recent treatment Trump administration Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders received by Stephanie Wilkinson, owner of The Red Hen restaurant in Lexington, VA. About a week ago Sanders and her dinner party were asked to leave The Red Hen restaurant for no other reason than her affiliation and association with the Trump administration.

Here’s where one cannot both have their cake and eat it too.

For years the big government left has demanded government sanction and penalize private businesses to the point of shutting them down for refusing to bake cakes for gay weddings as a matter of religious or conscientious choice. The cadre of -ists and -isms are thrown around as to why private enterprises should be forced to conduct business with people or groups with whom they have chosen not to.

They are hypocrites for their selective tolerance. And while it’s Wilkinson’s right to refuse service to whom she chooses, she should pay more attention to the quote hanging on her own restaurant: “Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend.” Those are the immortal words of Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr.

The flip side of this entrepreneurial conundrum is the small government right calling for private enterprises be left alone to conduct their business as they see fit - consequences be damned, or not.

They are hypocrites for their selective outrage. They want Sanders et al to be served, but they balk at baking the gay couple’s wedding cake.

I remain consistent. Government is already too busy sticking its fingers in far too many pies. Leave the business of business to the business men and women, and let the chips fall where they may. Ultimately these issues will resolve themselves. Quite frankly, if a baker refused me service because of my religion I would go elsewhere - I don’t want my wedding cake to “accidentally” contain a cup of salt instead of a cup of sugar - oopsies, as my younger daughter would say. Same if I were asked to leave a restaurant. I don’t want a plate full of G-d knows what being served to me that may have “accidentally” fallen on the floor or ended up with a gob of phlegm as a side dish.

I will spend my money where it is appreciated. We should all do likewise. Speak with our wallets and with our voices. Government need not get involved. If those who are outraged with the bakery not wanting to bake the cake for a gay couple opts to take their business elsewhere, it will affect the bottom line of the bakery in question. That business will suffer for its decision, or perhaps it won’t. Perhaps it will flourish because people will support it for taking a moral stand. Likewise with the restaurant. Perhaps all those who support President Trump will stay away, and as has been the immediate response, take to social media to opine, and cause the restaurant to lose a ton of cabbage. On the other hand, perhaps all the anti-Trumpers will flock to The Red Hen to demonstrate its support for Wilkinson’s decision.

I’m pretty sure I would not patronize the bakery or the restaurant - and that is my choice, just as it is and should remain the choices of the proprietors to discern with whom they choose to conduct business. That is the American way, the people’s choice, not the government’s mandate. G-d help us if the reverse ever becomes reality.

Sanford D. Horn is a writer and educator living in Westfield, IN.