Most hopeful (and interesting) article I've read in ages,

...Even a simple measure to protect the rights of workers to wear religious garb such as the hijab in the workplace or to swap work schedules with a colleague on religious holidays like Good Friday hit a brick wall when business interests got involved. For 10 years, Republican congressional leaders - and, since 2001, the Bush White House - have refused to support the Workplace Religious Freedom Act (cosponsored by John Kerry and Rick Santorum) because the business lobby, led by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, opposes the idea that employers should have to make accommodations for religious workers. In a November 2005 hearing on the legislation, Rep. Mark Souder (R-Ind.), angrily dressed down the Chamber's witness, declaring himself "incredibly disgusted, as well as disappointed" by her testimony. This earned him a rebuke from the committee chair, who reminded Souder that "private business... has the right to set the rules."...