This opinion posits that establishment politicians, like Josh Shapiro, are oblivious to their cultivation of copycat killer crime. We need real leaders.
The taking of the CEO’s life is a terrible loss. Anyone might need to express sorrow and revulsion. But only a leader could acknowledge there are underlying reasons, and that such killings could be avoided. After the arrest of the CEO killer, Governor Josh Shapiro of Pennslyvania took it as a photo opportunity to stir up copycat killers. He provided another pointed example of insensitive governmental behavior that has fostered the culture of violence. Now, as anger spills and voices cry out, he/they are failing at every juncture and opportunity to provide the common man with relief.
Nobody wants repeat shootings, but the governor’s words and demeanor after the killer’s arrest did encourage copycat killers. A moment in the national spotlight means more than acknowleging the cause of social unrest. He (and others of this ilk) might wake up to the fact that he is not the only one angry, and they are actively killing our democracy.
Weak failing leadership puts the CEOs in the crosshairs
Everybody who is anybody is all in – you just have to tighten up your security details. By the way, this is not respect for the Constitution and the rule of law, nor is it even democratic.
Feckless government and their propaganda has spun society to the point where good is bad and right is wrong and truth is another wish.
Shapiro talked in terms of ‘dehumanization’, and about that he is exactly right. Ask yourself: who in this justice equation is doing the most taking and wrecking of lives, and gaining vast fortunes for doing it at scale? CEOs are running the same basic protected lucrative play. Maybe they are not exactly copycat killers, but it is gross dehumanization.
Dehumanization is rampant in America. It is no coincidence that, as Malibu is in flames, the establishment celebrates the apprehension of a mad man for killing a billionaire, while simultaneously absolving a privileged guy for choking out a homeless one. These are closely related events in our social system; they are all a function of sanctioned greed and corruption.
In blind self-serving righteousness, in servitude to the extremists, somebody like Shapiro can only double down. Any consideration for the common good went the way of the middle class and neoliberalism. Of course, he would deny and take offense, confirming again that leading politicians just don’t get it, or care. He evidently thinks people are stupid and that they will just put up with it.
If you encourage violence you are on the hook for that violence
In an acute situation, Shapiro chose to inflame the emotions of people who are without options. Like most of the “leadership”, he has not gotten the message that he/they cannot just say or do anything regardless of the people’s plight. There is no leadership or respect in this behavior, even for the CEO/oligarchs they serve.
Behavior like Shapiro’s, doing nothing but aggravate, suggests they might welcome Trump’s idea of turning the military loose in the streets.
What if Shapiro inspires even one copycat killer?
There is no justification for such a shooting, but there is a sad desparation-fueled motivation. And many malajusted people are open, even eager, for a spark. An idea, triggered by insult and denial. An ability to put something more on the minds of the oppressors. To give one’s self over as another unique sacrifice.
Shapiro-types need to wake up to the level of maladjustment they are fostering. Shapiro is another example of main stream politicians not being able to look in the mirror. Many are out of touch with the extent to which their tirades foment add-on violence.
Josh Shapiro Campaigns on “Getting Stuff Done”
What Shapiro got done in the press conference was to prove he is not a symptom of the problem. No, indeed, Shapiro is the actual problem – his servitude to extremism and the monied few.
Notably, this dead-end political failure is not party affiliated. This is a problem that rises above bipartisan folly and the left-right division that gets cultivated. However, the democrats are more aggressively reinforcing themselves as two-faced and unwilling to honor social contracts. This, when they have had ample opportunity and the people’s need is acute. Increasingly, democrats are showing they do not know what is going on, and that they cannot be trusted.
So, Shapiro is no anomoly in the big democratic dance. Plus, this is not the only atrocity he owns. He is all in on the harvesting of Palestinians. Does that make him a copycat killer? If he is not taking money from AIPAC he might as well. Everyone knows he is all in for Israel over the USA.
The people are fed up with someday maybe
Like many controlling elected officials, Shapiro displays self-righteousness entitlement by exclusively supporting the privileged at the direct expense of the masses. He knows much of the ongoing $371B health insurance windfall went to UnitedHealthCare, his real constituency.
This is not a matter of elected officials simply watching their words more carefully. And it is more than waking up to ongoing copycat killer excitement. If you consider January 6th, attempted shootings, and a CEO shooting, it is clear violence will not stop until we return to a functioning, representative, liberal democracy.