Summary
The killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson has ignited outrage over the state of U.S. healthcare.
While his murder shocked many, online reactions highlighted public frustration with private insurers, citing denied care, high costs, and systemic bureaucracy.
UnitedHealthcare, a major industry player, has faced scrutiny for practices perceived as prioritizing profit over patients.
The attack, which appears premeditated, underscores rising tensions around healthcare inequality.
Experts see this as part of a broader trend toward violence over societal disputes, reflecting deep dissatisfaction with the American healthcare system.
That implies a trend instead of a one off like this. A trend would absolutely ultimately lead to improvements. The oligarchy that rules us isn’t listening to polite letters and protests asking them to change.
But if they discover that their actions lead to great personal risk, they’ll quickly change their actions to avoid the risk. That means lower (fair) pay for the CEOs/stockholders. That means an end to the scamming they do through insurance. That means an end to price gouging in the grocery store.
The reason everything is shit (aside from the destruction of the middle class and housing crisis, which is itself caused by the oligarchy), is that the oligarchy is brazen and unafraid of risk in their wealth extraction.
That’s what we’ve been doing for the last two decades, and it’s got us basically nowhere.
That doesn’t rule out holding them accountable via a government that works for us. Having that (or working towards that) was too boring for Americans this time. But if we had that, I’m sure the rich would be at least as scared of government guns as you say they’d be of increased vigilante guns.
And how’s that worked out?
Could be better. Could be worse. Still think it’s worth trying in addition to anything else we try.
I’m OK with trying the peaceful option first/in addition. But it is quickly becoming apparent that it’s not enough.