Let's begin by quoting one of the greats:
"Sur-prise, sur-prise, sur-prise!"
That's Gomer Pyle, of course, the simpleminded, gentle auto mechanic on the old "Andy Griffith Show" whose words and attitude best sum up how we all reacted this week in response to the jaw-dropping news out of Treasury about the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
OK, so now that the news it out, let me suggest what many in Corporate America have been promoting: the way PPACA defines a full-time employee needs to change.
The law, as we all know, created an entirely new definition of full-time workers, those putting in 30 hours or more.
That, of course, is ridiculous, providing yet more ammunition to the law's many critics who contend it is unworkable on multiple fronts.
When you stop to consider that Tuesday's announcement could save employers $10 billion in penalties in 2015, it's easy to see why so many business owners hate this legislation.
In any case, many welcome the delay since it gives them time to sort through all of the IRS and others regulations.
It also gives everyone time to tackle once more just who qualifies as a full-time staffer.
You've seen the stories. You might have done this in your own operations.
Employers everywhere have imposed hiring freezes or even downsized and are cutting employee hours in hopes of skirting the PPACA's coverage requirements.