Our collective fascination with the execution-style killing of a healthcare CEO speaks volumes about our obsession with wealth and status when it should be a wake-up call for those making billions in profits by denying Americans their rightful benefits.
You know, there’s something bothering me about the healthcare CEO killing.
Yes, it’s terrible that a father and husband lost their life.
It’s also repugnant that the victim led an insurance company investigated for screwing over policyholders, an all-too-common occurrence in America’s ass-backward, fucked up healthcare system that lets people die preventable deaths because they can’t afford to live.
What’s really bugging me is that we’re in a tizzy about this CEO getting popped because that’s not supposed to happen to wealthy and, let’s face it, white guys.
People are victims of random acts of violence all the time in America. But when it happens to a CEO, which tech and crypto bros revere like rock stars, then it demands our full attention and wall-to-wall coverage.
Our surprise about the killing and America’s obsession with wealth speaks volumes at a time like this. And it reminds me of the scene in “The Dark Knight,” when The Joker explains to Harvey Dent how upsetting the unexpected can be.
See, I don’t think we should be surprised this happened. In hindsight, I’m surprised it didn’t happen sooner.
And I hope healthcare companies don’t respond to this targeted killing by beefing up security for their overpaid CEOs.
But rather, start thinking about those Americans who just want access to the healthcare they pay for. That’s all. Just be goddamn decent and treat people with some fucking respect.
If American healthcare companies did that, mended their ways, and apologized for past behavior, then maybe we’d be surprised the next time one of their CEOs gets whacked.
