The truth hurts. That is one reason that the Republicans have a big problem with the youngest woman to ever become a U.S. representative, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY). The 29-year-old, who likes be called AOC, is riding the wave of change and and enjoying herself.
The self-described Democratic socialist recently referred to capitalism as an “irredeemable” system. She blames capitalism for the great disparity between the nation’s 540 billionaires and the vast majority of the country’s people.
Ocasio-Cortez went to the South by Southwest conference. While there, she appeared on stage in Austin, Texas and gave a heads-up speech about which issues were important to her “fellow millennials,” according to Bloomberg News. AOC covered the gamut of subject ranging from health care for all to the environment.
However, she was most critical of the country’s economic system. Ocasio-Cortez rightly noted that capitalism values the dollar over the values that have made this nation great:
‘Capitalism is an ideology of capital –- the most important thing is the concentration of capital and to seek and maximize profit (and it costs people too dearly), so to me capitalism is irredeemable.’
The Republican party is the party that puts profit over all else. Yet, the Democratic party has appeared helpless in the face of our failing economic system. The freshman representative warmed:
‘We’re reckoning with the consequences of putting profit above everything else in society. And what that means is people can’t afford to live. For me, it’s a question of priorities and right now I don’t think our model is sustainable.’
Ocasio-Cortez continued, saying that the most conservative members of Congress have done a good job of frightening people into believing a false definition of “socialism.” They say the government will “take over their businesses.” Then, AOC punched home a scary saying that in reality “corporations have taken over our government:”
‘Instead of conservative politicians scaring people that socialism means the government is going to take over their business, we should be scared right now because corporations have taken over our government.’
Ocasio-Cortez warned that even though America is richer than ever, that wealth is “enjoyed by fewer than ever.” She noted that New York City’s homelessness has increased substantially, especially among the veterans and the elderly, and it “doesn’t feel good:”
‘It doesn’t feel good to live in an unequal society. It doesn’t feel good to live in a society like that.’
Ocasio-Cortez’s comments may be dismissed by senior Democratic officials, frozen in time and unable or unwilling to change. Certainly, the Republicans will continue to attack her and others. These attacks will morph into talking-point ads in an ever-expanding critique of her as the 2020 elections draw nearer. Yet AOC has not been phased. She is a fighter — for change.
Some of the Democratic presidential candidates also appeared at the conference including: Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Amy Klobouchar (D-MI). Ocasio-Cortez is too young to run in the next presidential race by five years in 2020. That does not keep the change agent from speaking out now.
Texas’ South by Southwest conference has turned into a big deal mix of music and film festivals, technological changes, and Democratic politics in the Texas city known for its cultural events.
Featured image is a screenshot via YouTube.
