“When America’s government and Capitalists function as social assassins, the fate of the “republic” lies in the hands of the people.” John Johnson II 12/17/25
By John Johnson II
Friedrich Engels introduced the concept of “social murder” in 1845, describing a system where the avoidable deaths of workers were the predictable outcome of societal and economic neglect. Although the industrial landscape has changed, this concept remains painfully relevant today. In modern America, the government and capitalists act as social assassins through policies that lead to avoidable premature deaths.
In other words, Engels’ concept of social murders is alive and well—not through factory smog, but through stagnant wages, lack of affordable housing, gutted regulatory protections, denial of healthcare, indiscriminate tariffs, and the intentional suppression of voting rights. These avoidable tragedies, including deaths, are the foreseeable outcomes of systemic social, political, and economic oppression. If the government and capitalist policies are not addressed, the consequences are as lethal as any direct act of violence.
Before proceeding further, hopefully readers will fully understand and embrace why this government and capitalists are characterized as social assassins. This article offers a kaleidoscope printed image of how the policies of these two sectors contribute to avoidable suffering and deaths of people. The term assassin is used because the government and capitalists know exactly who they’re harming. Assassins in other words, know their targets!
America’s government historically established policies that targeted Black people and other ethnic groups. Slavery and slave codes defined enslaved Black people as property. Jim Crow laws legalized racial segregation; followed by redlining which denied Black people access to owning homes. Policies established during the 20th and 21st to target Black people included redlining extension, GI Bill Exclusion, Voter Suppression, Racial Gerrymandering, and Targeted Surveillances.
The current Administration has focused on initiating policies that roll back policies aimed at creating a more diverse and inclusive society. Civil Rights Enforcement has been weakened, and DEI initiatives have been dismantled completely. The Minority Business Development Agency, which helped launch thousands of Black businesses, has been targeted for elimination.
Capitalists function as assassins by seeking higher profits at the expense of workers. Regrettably, their policies lead to horrible working conditions, long hours, low wages, and unsafe working environments resulting in injuries and illness. Corporations are notorious for marketing addictive and unhealthy products such as cigarettes and other products saturated with corn syrup. Don’t forget, capitalists are social assassins not only of workers and consumers, but also drivers of climate change/
Wake up, America! Ask yourself: why does the government have to use workers’ tax dollars to provide social net programs? The evidence though obvious, indicates that, ‘If corporations paid living wages and fair policies were in place, the need for extensive social programs would diminish significantly.’ These programs allow capitalists to increase their profits by treating workers as cheap labor.
Far too many people who were the victims of Engels “social murder” concept are now becoming premature victims of America’s government and Capitalists acting as indirect social assassins. The Supreme Court threads on becoming a coconspirator assassins should they approve the President’s use of tariffs is legal. Because of tariffs people are having trouble buying food and medicine. “Stuff” is no longer on the grocery list. Without adequate food and medicines, people will suffer and die needlessly. This is an example of the consequences of the act of social assassins!
Regrettably, the recent government’s “One Big Beautiful Bill,” instead of acting as an assassin, it slashed the safety net by hundreds of billions. This act alone may cause more premature avoidable deaths than England’s 1888, serial killer “Jack the Ripper.” Doesn’t the government know what will happen if 20 million people lose their health care insurance?
A prudent President worthy of nomination for the “Nobel Peace Prize and aware of Engels’ “social murder” concept, would not end subsidies for the ACA, terminate Civil Rights protections, eliminate economic and social support, roll back environmental and health regulations, and would cease subjecting this nation and its soldiers to facing charges of having committed murders or war crimes at sea. A central question is, “who are President’s advisors?”
YOU BE THE JUDGE!