Given the chaos that's sure to follow during the next four years, it's likely that the situation will worsen before it gets better, if it ever does. We'll never enjoy the medical care that most Scandinavians and Europeans do.
This was one of the best articles I've read thus far.
I struggle with this situation. This year, I have been at the mercy of my health insurance (and other insurance, too). I've paid so much out of pocket to heal from an accident that I didn't cause.
It was interesting not to jump to empathy and compassion for the death of another. I usually would. It forced me to look into myself and find a lot of anger, resentment, and an objection to the powerlessness I've felt throughout this year.
The one thing I know for sure is that killing someone may look like an answer, but it most likely isn't. I agree that powerlessness is often behind the feeling as well.
Violence is not the answer and, yet this highly educated, articulate, frustrated young man felt it necessary. Problem is, Americans have normalized violence. It may be a headline for a few days, but falls prey to other news headlines. Just like the devastating circus we are currently witnessing we need to move in and beat them at their own game. Become the squeaky wheels and do so loudly, proudly and every single damn day.
I believe we will continue to see these acts of desperation by oppressed groups. My hope is that we find less violent means in which to do so.
No one would believe Mangione is part of an oppressed group by looking at him...I guess you mean we are victims of the healthcare system that treats us as sub-human. People were worried about violence if Trump lost, but I think as hopelessness overtakes us and the oligarchs take over, it will breed a new kind of internal war. Executive hit lists and 'wanted' posters are appearing in NYC.
Thank you Ilona, this is such an important topic, and I really admire how you’ve handled it with such care and nuance. You’ve humanized what can so easily become a faceless, abstract issue, and I appreciate that deeply.
I can’t help but think about how the public reaction you’re describing—the mockery and indifference—feels like a visceral response to a system that has left so many feeling powerless. It reminds me of JFK’s observation: “Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.” While I agree that violence or dehumanization isn’t the answer, I wonder if this reaction is less about individual cruelty and more about collective despair. When people feel there’s no real way to address the harm they’ve experienced, anger takes over.
Your piece is such a vital reminder that this anger needs to be channeled toward accountability and systemic change, and I’m grateful for how you’ve opened up this conversation so thoughtfully.
Thanks, Maggie. I appreciate your thoughtful response. You put your finger on it...powerlessness and collective despair are terrible places to live, and people are beyond frustrated. It seems to cut across all classes, but some with means can manage it better. The incident has opened Pandora's Box. Right now in NYC are Wanted posters with CEO photos. This thing is growing legs and feet.
Yes if course this assassination was wrong, but my “ thoughts and prayers” are currently going to the young man and his family. He apparently was influenced or “radicalized “ in recent years to become a vigilante against corporate greed and corruption and his life, in all likelihood, is now ruined. For anything good to come from this, serious investigations into worsening profiteering and corruption within the health insurance industry, and how many individual American lives they have destroyed or financially ruined, must get some momentum. Let’s include PBMs, who keep the cost of prescriptions unnecessarily high, in this conversation as well.
I just can’t find any sympathy right now for a corrupt, heartless billionaire CEO who had no empathy for the real people - who were paying insurance premiums and therefore his exorbitant salary- and having medical care denied by him and his corporate culture. Sorry not sorry…
I will throw up if I hear "thoughts and prayers" one more time. That is a useless, insincere saying I assume you were saying sarcastically. No one has a monopoly on suffering. I'm not saying not to feel sympathy for Mangione. He is around the same age as my son. Mangione is from a wealthy white family, who will give him the best legal defense money can buy. He will also have a line of women wanting to marry him while he's in jail. Being white and good-looking gets you far in this country. It will be interesting to see how this plays out.
Would you feel differently about him if Mangione was a homeless person or someone without a pedigree?
Sympathy for Thompson is pointless. I don't care about him at this point. He was doing his job for shareholders. As long as health care is run for profit, people will suffer. Welcome to America. The children of Thompson are also privileged and suffering, and they had nothing to do with their father's actions as CEO. Their lives are ruined just like the Mangione family. People worried about the violence that would occur if Trump lost, I'm worried about the violence that will happen after he won. This is one example of people are fed up, as you say, Sheila, with corporate greed. Thanks for chiming in.
So well written Ilona. I have wondered myself if the hate culture created by Trump and his hateful name calling and rage tweets, and his getting away with all of his crimes, has begun to cause a total lack of empathy for others in this country. It makes my heart hurt. I also wonder if some of the support for the man who murdered Brian was partly due to his good looks. Would the support have been so strong if he was an unattractive homeless man? An immigrant? I picture a bevy of women lining up to marry him while he's in prison. I've read some of the comments from said women. All your questions are valid. Where's the anti-gun and violence advocates? This is the first thing I thought of when I read of Brian's death...a husband, a father, a son, a human being. He was once a baby, a toddler, a little boy playing with his friends. He sat at desks for years, learning. He had family members who loved him dearly. He may have gotten sucked into a high pressure job and made decisions that hurt others. Could he have changed if he had been given a chance? How much have we all changed since we have been given the chance to remain alive? I have had some really terrible experiences with health insurance companies. If it wouldn't have been for a wealthy relative and a last minute loan I wouldn't be alive today. It's a bad system. But systems can be changed. We cannot resort to murder to make it happen.
There are endless things to examine here, and you bring up so many good points. Would the fans stop adoring him if Mangione wasn't a handsome guy? I believe he will also have a line of women outside his prison cell. America likes vigilante justice because our system has, time after time, proven it doesn't work. Look at Trump getting off without any consequences, especially for trying to overthrow the very government he will soon be in charge of. Interesting that both killer and victim were valedictorians. So much to say here. Thanks, Linda!
I find abhorrent any excuse for murder. I think it an essential feature of being a compassionate and decent human to never wish violence on anyone.
And my values have been tested by you know who.
But still, celebrating someone's murder and all the suffering that surrounds that by the families of victims and perpetrators is flat out wrong.
I speak as an agnostic/atheist. Who is a vehement advocate for non profit universal Healthcare. As you say, it is a human right. And if any country can afford it, it the the USA.
We need to stand for a simple set of values. The fact that we have to discuss this suggests we are not very evolved.
Given the chaos that's sure to follow during the next four years, it's likely that the situation will worsen before it gets better, if it ever does. We'll never enjoy the medical care that most Scandinavians and Europeans do.
You and I may not, but I hope my children get some relief at least.
This was one of the best articles I've read thus far.
I struggle with this situation. This year, I have been at the mercy of my health insurance (and other insurance, too). I've paid so much out of pocket to heal from an accident that I didn't cause.
It was interesting not to jump to empathy and compassion for the death of another. I usually would. It forced me to look into myself and find a lot of anger, resentment, and an objection to the powerlessness I've felt throughout this year.
The one thing I know for sure is that killing someone may look like an answer, but it most likely isn't. I agree that powerlessness is often behind the feeling as well.
Your writings are always so thought provoking! I feel like we are a lost country!
It does feel like we lost our way. I'm still betting on us though! Chin up!
Violence is not the answer and, yet this highly educated, articulate, frustrated young man felt it necessary. Problem is, Americans have normalized violence. It may be a headline for a few days, but falls prey to other news headlines. Just like the devastating circus we are currently witnessing we need to move in and beat them at their own game. Become the squeaky wheels and do so loudly, proudly and every single damn day.
I believe we will continue to see these acts of desperation by oppressed groups. My hope is that we find less violent means in which to do so.
No one would believe Mangione is part of an oppressed group by looking at him...I guess you mean we are victims of the healthcare system that treats us as sub-human. People were worried about violence if Trump lost, but I think as hopelessness overtakes us and the oligarchs take over, it will breed a new kind of internal war. Executive hit lists and 'wanted' posters are appearing in NYC.
Hopelessness is a state of being I worry about as well. It is all frightening and disturbing.
100%
Thank you Ilona, this is such an important topic, and I really admire how you’ve handled it with such care and nuance. You’ve humanized what can so easily become a faceless, abstract issue, and I appreciate that deeply.
I can’t help but think about how the public reaction you’re describing—the mockery and indifference—feels like a visceral response to a system that has left so many feeling powerless. It reminds me of JFK’s observation: “Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.” While I agree that violence or dehumanization isn’t the answer, I wonder if this reaction is less about individual cruelty and more about collective despair. When people feel there’s no real way to address the harm they’ve experienced, anger takes over.
Your piece is such a vital reminder that this anger needs to be channeled toward accountability and systemic change, and I’m grateful for how you’ve opened up this conversation so thoughtfully.
Thanks, Maggie. I appreciate your thoughtful response. You put your finger on it...powerlessness and collective despair are terrible places to live, and people are beyond frustrated. It seems to cut across all classes, but some with means can manage it better. The incident has opened Pandora's Box. Right now in NYC are Wanted posters with CEO photos. This thing is growing legs and feet.
Yes if course this assassination was wrong, but my “ thoughts and prayers” are currently going to the young man and his family. He apparently was influenced or “radicalized “ in recent years to become a vigilante against corporate greed and corruption and his life, in all likelihood, is now ruined. For anything good to come from this, serious investigations into worsening profiteering and corruption within the health insurance industry, and how many individual American lives they have destroyed or financially ruined, must get some momentum. Let’s include PBMs, who keep the cost of prescriptions unnecessarily high, in this conversation as well.
I just can’t find any sympathy right now for a corrupt, heartless billionaire CEO who had no empathy for the real people - who were paying insurance premiums and therefore his exorbitant salary- and having medical care denied by him and his corporate culture. Sorry not sorry…
I will throw up if I hear "thoughts and prayers" one more time. That is a useless, insincere saying I assume you were saying sarcastically. No one has a monopoly on suffering. I'm not saying not to feel sympathy for Mangione. He is around the same age as my son. Mangione is from a wealthy white family, who will give him the best legal defense money can buy. He will also have a line of women wanting to marry him while he's in jail. Being white and good-looking gets you far in this country. It will be interesting to see how this plays out.
Would you feel differently about him if Mangione was a homeless person or someone without a pedigree?
Sympathy for Thompson is pointless. I don't care about him at this point. He was doing his job for shareholders. As long as health care is run for profit, people will suffer. Welcome to America. The children of Thompson are also privileged and suffering, and they had nothing to do with their father's actions as CEO. Their lives are ruined just like the Mangione family. People worried about the violence that would occur if Trump lost, I'm worried about the violence that will happen after he won. This is one example of people are fed up, as you say, Sheila, with corporate greed. Thanks for chiming in.
Yes I started out with a touch of sarcasm, including that useless cliche we hear from our useless elected representatives after every school shooting…
So well written Ilona. I have wondered myself if the hate culture created by Trump and his hateful name calling and rage tweets, and his getting away with all of his crimes, has begun to cause a total lack of empathy for others in this country. It makes my heart hurt. I also wonder if some of the support for the man who murdered Brian was partly due to his good looks. Would the support have been so strong if he was an unattractive homeless man? An immigrant? I picture a bevy of women lining up to marry him while he's in prison. I've read some of the comments from said women. All your questions are valid. Where's the anti-gun and violence advocates? This is the first thing I thought of when I read of Brian's death...a husband, a father, a son, a human being. He was once a baby, a toddler, a little boy playing with his friends. He sat at desks for years, learning. He had family members who loved him dearly. He may have gotten sucked into a high pressure job and made decisions that hurt others. Could he have changed if he had been given a chance? How much have we all changed since we have been given the chance to remain alive? I have had some really terrible experiences with health insurance companies. If it wouldn't have been for a wealthy relative and a last minute loan I wouldn't be alive today. It's a bad system. But systems can be changed. We cannot resort to murder to make it happen.
There are endless things to examine here, and you bring up so many good points. Would the fans stop adoring him if Mangione wasn't a handsome guy? I believe he will also have a line of women outside his prison cell. America likes vigilante justice because our system has, time after time, proven it doesn't work. Look at Trump getting off without any consequences, especially for trying to overthrow the very government he will soon be in charge of. Interesting that both killer and victim were valedictorians. So much to say here. Thanks, Linda!
Great commentary, Ilona.
You courageously address this fiery issue, Lolo!! Bravo.
"The perpetrator's use of a 3D-printed, untraceable gun is a monumental problem."
VERY well expressed. Thank you.
I find abhorrent any excuse for murder. I think it an essential feature of being a compassionate and decent human to never wish violence on anyone.
And my values have been tested by you know who.
But still, celebrating someone's murder and all the suffering that surrounds that by the families of victims and perpetrators is flat out wrong.
I speak as an agnostic/atheist. Who is a vehement advocate for non profit universal Healthcare. As you say, it is a human right. And if any country can afford it, it the the USA.
We need to stand for a simple set of values. The fact that we have to discuss this suggests we are not very evolved.