Republicans can not escape the blue wave, no matter how tempered they want to claim that it’s proven. This coming week, Democrats will formally assume their position as the majority party in the U.S. House, with some 40 new additions to their House caucus including New York’s Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who unseated longtime Democratic leader Joe Crowley in the midterms. She shared a message this weekend about just how far she’s come in just one year, moving from a bartending job to a position in Congress.
As she explained it alongside a photo of herself on the job in her old position:
‘This time a year ago, I was bartending while running a long-shot campaign for Congress. That time felt so dark and yet so hopeful at the same time. Our odds were dismal + I was dismissed, but we felt that fighting hard for what’s right – even uphill – was worth it. Keep going.’
This time a year ago, I was bartending while running a long-shot campaign for Congress.
That time felt so dark and yet so hopeful at the same time. Our odds were dismal + I was dismissed, but we felt that fighting hard for what’s right – even uphill – was worth it.
Keep going. pic.twitter.com/9SDGpAW9Kr
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Ocasio2018) December 29, 2018
Her primary election victory over Crowley came as a shock, elevating the self-described democratic socialist above a well-established Democratic figure who could have been on his way to becoming Speaker of the House. Her victory in the general election was a bit of a given, considering the Democratic lean of her district — but the dismissals haven’t stopped.
Donald Trump Jr., for instance, mocked her platform as hinging on desperation so fierce it would incorporate eating dogs — and in response, she posted a reminder that in the not too distant future, Democrats will have the power of the subpoena. They’ve long established they’re ready and willing to hold the Trump team accountable for its behavior via that power.
She’s faced criticism from all corners of the political spectrum for her upstart attitude, even including inside the Democratic Party. Outgoing Missouri U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill dismissed her as a “bright shiny new object,” quipping:
‘I’m a little confused why she’s the thing.’
She’s “the thing” because she stands for policies that have tangible benefits for the people of the United States and world, no matter the political expedience or lack thereof. She’s been a vocal supporter of initiatives like Medicare-for-all and a Green New Deal to put the United States on path to controlling its carbon emissions, working alongside high profile figures like U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) to advance her mission.
She’s maintained a high profile throughout all of this, aiming to engage with those interested in her message through means like staying personally involved on social media. That context gave her the opportunity to share tidbits of info like that her health insurance as a Congresswoman will be half the price of the plan she had as a waitress, giving the opportunity to again ask the question why Congress won’t support more comprehensive public health coverage.
She will be among those tasked with dealing with the currently ongoing partial government shutdown should it continue into the new year as expected. President Donald Trump has refused to approve any funding without the provisions for the border wall he wants to block off Mexico.
Featured Image via YouTube screenshot
