On December 4, 2024, Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealth, was assassinated by Luigi Manigone. This incident has exposed the weaknesses of the American elite, who have struggled to defend their positions and power in the face of increasing public frustration with the healthcare system.
1. Assassination and Public Reaction:
• The killing of Brian Thompson brought forth a mixed response from elites, including politicians and media figures.
• A New York Times article highlighted how many Americans sympathize with Manigone's actions as a fight against healthcare corruption and inequality.
• UnitedHealth's current CEO, Andrew Witty, acknowledged the frustrations of people regarding healthcare costs and insurers rejecting claims.
2. Pareto's Theory of Elites:
• Vilfredo Pareto categorized elites into "foxes" and "lions. " Foxes use diplomacy and deceit, while lions use force.
• Historically, various regimes have resorted to violence to maintain control, whereas American elites have predominantly relied on deceit and bureaucracy.
3. Historical Context:
• American elites have a history of character defamation rather than violence. Examples include the McCarthy Trials and the Nixon administration’s attacks on political adversaries.
• The current failure of American elites to assertively respond to the assassination reflects a potential decline in their power and resolve.
4. Will to Power:
• Pareto’s concept of the "will to power" suggests that elites must show willingness to defend their authority. This has not been evident among contemporary American elites.
• Historical examples, from Imperial Rome to the fall of the Soviet Union, illustrate how failure to defend power can lead to downfall.
5. Conclusion:
• The weak response to Thompson's assassination exposes the inadequacies of American elites and their unwillingness to protect their authority.
• If they fail to reform the healthcare system or address public concerns, they risk losing their positions or facing significant upheaval.
• History shows that complacency among elites can lead to their eventual collapse, indicating a need for decisive action to maintain power.
https://mises.org/mises-wire/what-unitedhealth-assassination-revealed-about-american-elites
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