What is the significance of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez?

This is the 28-year-old socialist who beat the heir to the throne for Democratic Congressional
leader in New York.

Are the Democrats experiencing a 'tea-party of the left' moment where the establishment is shaken up by radicals? Could it be even more significant in that American politics is set to experience real structural changes years down the line? Certainly, there will be replacement Bernies, if nothing else.

For those who don't know, I'm a British political activist and very much involved in the movement around Jeremy Corbyn, Britain's Labour Party leader. I see the DSA (Democratic Socialists of America) as a US version of Momentum, so I kind of feel a kinship here.

It strikes me that the Democrats are united in opposition to Trump but in little else. There seems to be a division between party elites who accept corporate donations and have classical liberal policies and a more progressive radical base. I don't think most American Democrat voters are socialist in the classical sense but nonetheless, I think there is a political message here which will resonate.

I also think that Ocasio-Cortez is extremely impressive as a candiate. She has excellent politics, as well as charisma, authenticity and self-confidence. If I was an activist in this room, then I would walk through walls for that person:

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAb2QMw9h_w]

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GunSmoke9 · 56-60, M

I can't wait for her to tell us how she plans on paying for all she wants. I bet she also wants to get rid of ICE like others in the democrat party are calling for.

Burnley123 · 41-45, M

@GunSmoke9 Yes she wants to abolish ICE. That is one way of freeing up money to pay for good things too.

GunSmoke9 · 56-60, M

@Burnley123 Getting rid of ICE is a losing strategy, like open borders. So more people good and bad entering the country will cost the taxpayers more than they will save by getting rid of ICE.

CopperCicada · M

@GunSmoke9 Personally I think ICE is misguided. We should be patrolling our borders, ports and airports in a paramilitary fashion. I care less about removing 10 guys working in a restaurant than 9kg of fissionable material, ISIS operatives, or metric tons of H and coke coming across the borders.

That said, people against ICE are not necessarily for open borders though some may be. ICE is much like the IRS in that it has law enforcement capabilities that have been abused. If you've had to deal with either that's clear. That is what many protest.

TexChik · F

@GunSmoke9 @Burnley123 so she can aid the uncontrolled influx of illegals and crash our economy ? Not bloody likely . A token socialist in congress just lets everyone who wants freedom , a good paying job, and a better life know what not to vote for ...

GunSmoke9 · 56-60, M

@TexChik She thinks all she has to do is tax the rich more to pay for what she wants. Like socialist she just doesn't get it. I hope she loses badly.

CopperCicada · M

@GunSmoke9 Neither party gets it. One wants to tax the rich, the other wishes to give presents to the rich.

TexChik · F

@GunSmoke9 if socialist understood economics and freedom , they wouldn’t be socialists

Burnley123 · 41-45, M

@TexChik I asked you simpme a question on economic terminology once and you dodged the answer. Their is no substance or knowledge behind any of your words.

Graylight · 51-55, F

@GunSmoke9 Do you know this to be true? Have you heard her say these words or present a platform calling for higher taxes to pay for everything? Or are you just following party line rhetoric and applying it to the newest candidates?

GunSmoke9 · 56-60, M

@Graylight She is following the socialist playbook. Promise the clueless a lot of free stuff. To do that taxes will have to be raised. She also never said how she plans on paying for all she wants.

Burnley123 · 41-45, M

@GunSmoke9 She is in favour of abolishing ICE and in raising taxes. You said sp yourself, so why are you asking how she will pay for things?

GunSmoke9 · 56-60, M

@Burnley123 I said that she will raise taxes, I don't believe she said so herself.

CopperCicada · M

@GunSmoke9 she won't raise taxes. she might co-author a bill, sit in a committee, vote on a bill. but she won't raise taxes herself.

i'm not trying to be a prick by pointing out the obvious, but this is the reason that people are scared off of non-conventional candidates, regardless of whether they are right or left leaning.

the impression they'll muck everything up.

if she's elected she'll join the class like everyone else. and her politics will be pulled back to the mean and she'll have to be pragmatic.

but what her constituents will gain is a proxy who lives in their district and who will talk to them.