When Success Becomes Sin

The frightening thing about America’s new politics isn’t just the rage. It’s who the rage is now aimed at: not corrupt dictators, not violent criminals, not people accused of atrocities, but successful people. Builders. Executives. Entrepreneurs. Anyone who has achieved enough to become a symbol of “the system.”

This week, outside a Manhattan courthouse, the NY Post reported on a trio of self described “Mangionistas” who openly glorified the alleged murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. They mocked his death. They sneered at his children. They wore 1980s aerobics clothing. And they were given press passes.

That’s right. These weren’t anonymous trolls hiding behind burner accounts. They were credentialed by New York City as members of the press.

One woman declared Thompson’s children were “better off without him.” Another compared the killing to the death of Osama bin Laden. Another fantasized about politicians “hanging in the town square.”

Pause for a moment and consider how insane this is. CEO Brian Thompson was not accused of murder. He was not a cartel boss. He was not a war criminal. He was an executive, a businessman who climbed to the top of a massive American company through decades of work.

You can dislike the healthcare system. You can criticize insurance companies. That is part of democracy. But we have crossed into something darker when assassination becomes morally fashionable because the victim was wealthy and successful.

And this sickness is not isolated to a few deranged social media activists. Increasingly, as I wrote about days ago, our political culture rewards the public humiliation of successful people simply for being successful....(READ THIS FULL ARTICLE HERE).

Contributor posts published on Zero Hedge do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of Zero Hedge, and are not selected, edited or screened by Zero Hedge editors.

Today's Top Stories