Summary
Brian Thompson, CEO of UnitedHealthcare, was fatally shot in a premeditated attack outside the New York Hilton Midtown before speaking at an investor conference.
The gunman, still at large, fired multiple times, leaving shell casings marked with the words “deny,” “defend,” and “depose.”
Authorities suggest Thompson was targeted but remain unclear on the motive. His wife confirmed prior threats against him.
Analysts speculate a possible vendetta tied to his company. The case raises questions about executive security, as Thompson lacked personal protection despite known risks.
A violent revolution may not be the answer, but certain things need to happen for the upper class and our government to recognize, in their own way since they can’t seem to relate to the general public, that the people they represent and hold power over are not happy. Yes we vote in our officials, but due to the way the system has changed over the years, gerrymandering and gentrification has made minorities feel wildly unrepresented. Progressives feel wildly unrepresented because they honestly just want the best for everyone in the country while conservatives typically want to maintain the old ways (usually involving sexism or racism). Democrats have done nothing to appeal to the progressives. Republicans have broadened their appeal wildly to even feel desired by those that they truthfully aim to negatively impact. This has been through extreme lies and misinformation spread. Everyone has been talking about “nobody wants to work anymore,” but nobody has been talking about “nobody wants to vote anymore.” It’s disgraceful that we call ourselves a democracy but around 50% of the entire voting populace feels they shouldn’t vote because their vote doesn’t matter, or are put into a position where they can’t vote because of the state they live in.
I will never advocate for violence. I was not alive during the civil rights movements or the women’s abolition movements, or the worker’s rights movements. I know a lot of people had to die for the people that govern us to pass legislation to improve those conditions. Why do the average everyday Americans have to die in large numbers for legislation to be passed… even locally? I think a few people that have power over us or that govern us being killed is far better than more everyday Americans that lead the labor force. I don’t want random, good CEOs to die. And I think the general public will agree. It’s not like the CEO of Costco was being targeted.
I dunno, I think it’s the white rural working class who’ve spoke loudest over the past few years. I’m not one of them but I think it’s important to reflect on the fact.
I agree with everything you’re saying but I would add that we’ve chosen to take an isolationist attitude towards our neighbors who seem threatening or unrelatable to us. Added, the pandemic induced reliance on screens to do everything, we’re just growing further and further away from each other. The media, the ones promoting this initial story, are the ones most responsible for dividing us. They do it for ratings, for stock growth, for promotions and payouts. They do not do it to educate the public. They are not the fourth pillar of democracy.
The unbreakable walls of division are closings off to bothering to really understand anything. So many people are quick to read a headline and make an unfounded argument for or against it. Does anyone care about this man’s family whom I’m sure loved him? Does anyone care that he wasn’t even a $100 millionaire, never mind a billionaire? No one is telling the good stories about good billionaires. Those who build hospitals, contribute to fighting childhood cancer, who support public schools and build homes for the homeless. Even when given opposing facts about a topic, all people are set in their opinions. It’s a defense mechanism because people are terrified to be kind to one another. Because the media has told us this is what we are now.
Omg this right here is so funny. You must be blind. Media outlets talk non stop about how amazing, smart, caring, and hardworking billionaires supposedly are.
Oh right so do the billionaires actually pour the concrete? Do they administer the chemo to the kids with cancer? Do they put together assignments for students? Do they hammer the nails to frame the house they’re supposedly building? Because as I see it if all they’re doing is signing check then they really haven’t done anything for anyone. It’s just our fucked up society means all the people that actually do good in the world need the sign of from a billionaire. If you don’t have their approval but you still want to work for the benefit of all, tough luck. Rent is still due at the end of the month.
I was not aware media outlets were talking about how amazing and hardworking billionaires are. No. Do you have some examples?
No. They establish companies (employee people) to build, manage, and maintain these organizations as they dictate. They’re actively involved in the principles of the organization and maintain a seat on the board of directors to ensure upper management is fulfilling their vision. A lot of their work is with lawyers to make sure everything is done legally and to push legislation through city council to keep the project on time. Sometimes a project will involve contributions to the city like parks or public spaces so they work with architects to design those projects too. That’s a very small part of what I’m aware of what they do.
They are giving away hundreds of millions of dollars for the future benefit of lives well beyond their own time. They’re doing more by establishing these long-term enterprises than they ever could by simply giving out money. Because that’s what makes sense in the reality we live in.
Are you saying that wealthy people should not use their money to build hospitals or help dying kids?
Oh come on. If you really are in the room with billionaires at charitable events you know the press is often invited to write puff pieces about how generous they are.
I’m saying we shouldn’t let people undemocratically decide whether or not working class people build hospitals and treat dying kids. By advocating that billionaires hold that power you are literally siding against democracy. But hey I guess all those super yachts just need to be built. For the good of society right?
If being a ceo is so much work, how come so many of them have multiple CEO jobs?
Doesn’t seem to hard to me, when one person can hold that title in multiple corporations all at the same time.
What I’m hearing you say is - I have no clue what these people who make so much money actually do but I’m of the firm belief that they’re paid a lot of money to do nothing. If I were you, and I have been and continue to be someone who finds so much in life curious and puzzling, I would take a moment to learn a bit more about the area before I make such bold claims about things I only know about from social media. Perhaps look up “what does a CEO do” or “why do CEOs make so much money”.
But to provide some answer to your question, from my experience, the CEOs I’ve known are super over achievers. The people I’ve known are working 24/7/365 while they appear to have somewhat fulfilling family lives. For them to take time off of work is like dying. They just can’t stop.
Granted, the CEOs I’ve known aren’t CEOs at multiple companies. They may be on a board of directors and they may be presidents of organizations in addition to their CEO title. I’m not sure I’ve heard of someone being a CEO at more than one company.
Part of the compensation for a CEO is so they can hire people to work from them (that’s how I know these people). The company is going to pay them well enough that they can hire cleaners and contractors and housekeepers and nannies to afford them the opportunity to continue their work all day without interruption. So, an average CEO household might have four people on staff for them at any given time. I can tell you, these people are paid crazy money so that’s a good half a million dollars right there that someone is being paid so they can live a life dedicated to their job, not because of the effort they put into it.
I mean, in regard to effort expended, if I mom can own and operate a local bakery while taking care of the home and coaching girls soccer and being president of the PTA, what makes a CEO any different? Just because they’re paid a lot more? A local bakery is serving the local community. It’s only ever going to generate a finite income and offer a finite value to the neighborhood. A CEO is, presumably, managing a national or international organization making millions or billions of dollars. They mange the people who manage hundreds or thousands of employees. The choices they make impact all the lives of the employees as well as the clientele and the bottom line for the company.
From the average person’s point of view, it’s obscene how much money these people are paid. From their perspective, it’s quite logical. IMO, I think there’s a cap on what a CEO should make - not because it should be regulated but because the company is just throwing money away. However, I’m aware that these people are in high demand because of the work they provide so companies are bidding for them. Sign on packages and yearly bonuses reach the sky just to acquire someone, regardless of the value they’re currently providing the company.
So, how do you fight something like this?
The care claims AI system decided that care about the family of a mass murder did not meet policy requirements.
He should have been more proactive at maintaining his health, and as such, the family’s claim for anyone to care has been denied.