The images of the actual murder of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson are disturbing and shocking, but the response across social media has been almost as horrifying. I generally don’t read these kinds of comments, but after seeing one on X, I read more. With a rare exception, they were extolling the act, even calling the yet unfound (then) murderer a hero – a modern-day Robin Hood. Some called for more executions of overpaid executives, while others hoped the killer would get away. Meanwhile, Mr. Thompson’s friends and family are grieving, with no answers as of yet. And while we all know of the injustice in our pay systems in too many industries, that does not in any way forgive the level of hatred spewed every day across all kinds of media, nor does it excuse this heinous act.
We may find out that the alleged murderer had a connection to this company; and let’s not call them health “care” – insurance companies get rich by not paying claims. We all see the injustice when we compare the huge salaries of the upper echelon, and the dividends paid to investors, while people die from lack of care, and employees lose their jobs. This level of inequity has grown dramatically since the 1950s, and people are being hurt because of it. This “let them eat cake” approach to capitalism destroys lives.
And please – don’t even tell me about how the market will make it all work. When your loved one dies because a simple procedure is denied, that can drive you over the edge.
Still, none of this is enough to explain, or even glorify, cold-blooded murder. It’s horrible when someone acts out of revenge or insanity, but it seems to me to be even more disturbing when countless voices raise their support and approval for people driven to violence. Where does this blood lust come from? There are a number of theological answers that some might offer, but they give no concrete answers. Jealous murder is at the center of one of the first stories in the book of Genesis, but jealousy does not seem to be enough to explain taking someone’s life. I am sure we will find out more about the alleged perpetrator in the future, but his actions were not unique to him. We cannot solve the problem of suffering from violence until we can understand and calm the savage beast with us. How we, as a society, respond to this will define us. So far, it doesn’t look good.
Prayer – Heal us, O God, of our tendency towards revenge and violence, and help us work towards greater economic parity so that all can have what they need. Amen.
Today’s art is La Douleur (Sorrow) (1868-1869) by Paul Cézanne.