A Murderer as a Star: US Is Losing Its Judgment*

The jubilation over the murder of a leading executive in the U.S. raises fear that the moral compass in U.S. is increasingly slipping.

The cold-blooded murder* of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson is causing quite a stir in the U.S. Even during the days he eluded authorities, a “hero cult” developed around the murderer,* and not just on social media. Now that he has been identified and arrested, the hype continues to grow. This reason for this is the role of the murder victim.*

With $371 billion in annual sales, United Healthcare is one of the biggest health insurance companies in America. People have frequently accused the company of rejecting approval for even the most vital treatments.

Blind Rage

It is completely understandable that United Healthcare doesn’t garner much sympathy. However, the strong reaction to the murder sheds light on a massive problem in the U.S. that goes beyond the dysfunctional health insurance system focused on maximizing profit.

Too many people now appear to believe that every grievance justifies any kind of reaction. They’ve been empowered to do this by a role model whom they elected as president based on this same twisted logic. Anyone in a position of power who boasts about being able to shoot a person with impunity, as Donald Trump did years ago, motivates his supporters to trivialize these kinds of actions.

This celebrated murder of a family man may symbolize a kind of next stage in the American class war: one step further removed from sound moral judgment and closer to blind anger.

*Editor’s Note: A suspect has been arrested and charged with multiple crimes in connection with the killing of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson. The charges, including murder, remain to be tried and proven in a court of law.