Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6722955/amp/Alexandria-Ocasio-Cortez-moves-luxury-apartment-complex-NO-affordable-housing-units.html

Ocasio-Cortez makes $174,000 annually with her congressional salary and has used the funds to move into the posh Navy Yard neighborhood in Washington D.C. that, ironically, is also a favorite of President Donald Trump's staffers.

My mother was a socialist when I was growing up and lived at home. She still is. She painted a picture of socialism that sounded good. I definitely was a lefty in college. Extreme.

But stuff like this is why I cannot take socialism seriously. The minute AOC gets to DC, it’s luxury for her.

If she truly was a working class champion, she’d live somewhere less expensive and donate or help the poor and downtrodden.

That’s supposed to be the difference between people like her and the rich baddies. But it seems all people want is to feed voters a line, get in office, and then, good times.

For security reasons, if nothing else. Not that it's any of your business.
Yep. This is why Orwell's "Animal Farm" is a classic. I am a DC resident--have never understood why the Obamas, Clintons etc. don't send their kids to school with "the people" or live with "the people". Last one to do so was Jimmy Carter (school). There are lots and lots of places to live in DC--she could do the "English basement" experience so many of us did coming up, or live in a "transitional" neighborhood in a less than luxury flat like so many teachers and first responders. Hard to take her seriously, for sure.

Umm, you do realize that Orwell was a socialist and Animal Farm applies to capitalism too, right?

He was a British democratic socialist and in the context of the times Animal Farm applied squarely to the excesses of the Russian Revolution and Stalinism. I think his adage " all animals are equal, but some animal are more equal than others" applies squarely to an American democratic socialist taking a luxury flat... hypocrisy then, hypocrisy now... and remember, what was brilliant in Animal Farm was how the hypocrisy always started so small and with so much justification.

A lot of things are brilliant in Animal Farm. I never thought of it as about "hypocrisy" but as about power systems. If you don't see how it could apply to capitalist systems, I suggest you read it again with that in mind.

We love to hunt hypocrites, but we seldom challenge power. Even when we take power, we end up frittering it away because we are too frightened to keep it. So keep hunting hypocrites while the pigs pick your pocket.

Its literature so you can read it as you wish , though some interpretations are more equal than others (joke!). Of course it is about power and why not extend the critique to capitalism? Capitalist democracy is probably the best of imperfect systems that would work for a country of our scale and diversity - that does not mean it's perfect. With that being said, when he wrote it he was addressing Stalinism, extreme redistribution ofwealth, the tendency of revolutions to turn in themselves, and an inarguable theme of absolute power corrupting absolutely - with an overwhelming hypocrisy of the starting assertion was to "improve" the wellbeing of all. AoC is a hypocrite of her own devising. It will be interesting to see how far she goes with that.

We pay Congress members a good salary, and I think we should because it is an important job. I have hard time getting worked up about her living in fairly modest (by the standards of most DCUM members) apartment. I have more trouble with CEOs who run their companies into the ground then get fired with severance packages worth more than most people earn in a lifetime.

Anonymous wrote:I googled the Rep that was just on CNN and his wiki made me think of this thread.

"Congressman Clay Higgins was sworn into the House of Representatives on January 3, 2017.

He has said that he sleeps on an air mattress on the floor of his Capitol Hill office. He works out and showers in the House gymnasium in the early morning. In the evenings, he spends more time at his desk to prepare for expected House votes the next day."

Why is that a good thing? That means we are paying for what he should be paying on rent and utilities.

Anonymous wrote:I googled the Rep that was just on CNN and his wiki made me think of this thread.

"Congressman Clay Higgins was sworn into the House of Representatives on January 3, 2017.

He has said that he sleeps on an air mattress on the floor of his Capitol Hill office. He works out and showers in the House gymnasium in the early morning. In the evenings, he spends more time at his desk to prepare for expected House votes the next day."

I Googled him as well and that Wikipedia page says he resigned from two different police departments under ethical clouds.

I googled the Rep that was just on CNN and his wiki made me think of this thread.

"Congressman Clay Higgins was sworn into the House of Representatives on January 3, 2017.

He has said that he sleeps on an air mattress on the floor of his Capitol Hill office. He works out and showers in the House gymnasium in the early morning. In the evenings, he spends more time at his desk to prepare for expected House votes the next day."

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6722955/amp/Alexandria-Ocasio-Cortez-moves-luxury-apartment-complex-NO-affordable-housing-units.html

Ocasio-Cortez makes $174,000 annually with her congressional salary and has used the funds to move into the posh Navy Yard neighborhood in Washington D.C. that, ironically, is also a favorite of President Donald Trump's staffers.

My mother was a socialist when I was growing up and lived at home. She still is. She painted a picture of socialism that sounded good. I definitely was a lefty in college. Extreme.

But stuff like this is why I cannot take socialism seriously. The minute AOC gets to DC, it’s luxury for her.

If she truly was a working class champion, she’d live somewhere less expensive and donate or help the poor and downtrodden.

That’s supposed to be the difference between people like her and the rich baddies. But it seems all people want is to feed voters a line, get in office, and then, good times.

For security reasons, if nothing else. Not that it's any of your business.
Yep. This is why Orwell's "Animal Farm" is a classic. I am a DC resident--have never understood why the Obamas, Clintons etc. don't send their kids to school with "the people" or live with "the people". Last one to do so was Jimmy Carter (school). There are lots and lots of places to live in DC--she could do the "English basement" experience so many of us did coming up, or live in a "transitional" neighborhood in a less than luxury flat like so many teachers and first responders. Hard to take her seriously, for sure.

Umm, you do realize that Orwell was a socialist and Animal Farm applies to capitalism too, right?

He was a British democratic socialist and in the context of the times Animal Farm applied squarely to the excesses of the Russian Revolution and Stalinism. I think his adage " all animals are equal, but some animal are more equal than others" applies squarely to an American democratic socialist taking a luxury flat... hypocrisy then, hypocrisy now... and remember, what was brilliant in Animal Farm was how the hypocrisy always started so small and with so much justification.

A lot of things are brilliant in Animal Farm. I never thought of it as about "hypocrisy" but as about power systems. If you don't see how it could apply to capitalist systems, I suggest you read it again with that in mind.

We love to hunt hypocrites, but we seldom challenge power. Even when we take power, we end up frittering it away because we are too frightened to keep it. So keep hunting hypocrites while the pigs pick your pocket.

Its literature so you can read it as you wish , though some interpretations are more equal than others (joke!). Of course it is about power and why not extend the critique to capitalism? Capitalist democracy is probably the best of imperfect systems that would work for a country of our scale and diversity - that does not mean it's perfect. With that being said, when he wrote it he was addressing Stalinism, extreme redistribution ofwealth, the tendency of revolutions to turn in themselves, and an inarguable theme of absolute power corrupting absolutely - with an overwhelming hypocrisy of the starting assertion was to "improve" the wellbeing of all. AoC is a hypocrite of her own devising. It will be interesting to see how far she goes with that.

Anonymous wrote:

There are lots and lots of places to live in DC--she could do the "English basement" experience so many of us did coming up, or live in a "transitional" neighborhood in a less than luxury flat like so many teachers and first responders. Hard to take her seriously, for sure.

She's a Congresswoman. She's not "coming up." She's arrived.

Good to know she is now "above" those she advocates so "tirelessly" for

There are lots and lots of places to live in DC--she could do the "English basement" experience so many of us did coming up, or live in a "transitional" neighborhood in a less than luxury flat like so many teachers and first responders. Hard to take her seriously, for sure.

She's a Congresswoman. She's not "coming up." She's arrived.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She shouldn't have moved into a new place while she could've stayed rent-free in your head.

My head doesn’t have Whole Foods (where she shops despite running amazon out of NYC) or outdoor yoga classes.

Too bad for you. Maybe focus on living your own life instead of hating on others.

I thought progressives were all about everyone having the same simple life and taking money from the wealthy and redistribution to the poor?

Dcum rails against any rich republican constantly...but suddenly it’s time to live your best life when AOC is shopping at Whole Foods.

See? That’s American Socialism. All fluff. No substance.

Republicans: She's a socialist, so she has to shop at dodgy grocery stores.

She has to shop at the same type of shops most of her constituents in Bronx do. She claimed to be just like them, Alex from the Bronx.

I’m sure the people who lost thousands of well-paying jobs in New York because of the Amazon deal falling through would love to live in a nice apartment and eat organic. She is learning typical democrat ropes - do as I say, not as I do.

They'd probably appreciate the wages and benefits Whole Foods provides over that of Amazon, that's for sure. One of the "100 Best Companies to Work For" according to Fortune Magazine. Good for Whole Foods! I should start shopping there more often.

https://www.businessinsider.com/what-its-really-like-to-work-at-whole-foods-market-2015-4

Best place to work before Bezos. Not so much now

Anonymous wrote:I don't know why I bother, but whatever.

Let me quote Gates, who leans D. This is what he said this about taxes (and alluded to AOC's agenda):

Apparently you didn't bother. Your earlier point was that AOC didn't understand marginal tax rates. When I said you were wrong, you posted a bunch of stuff that didn't have anything to do with marginal tax rates. I guess it is too much to ask for you to stick to your own topic.

Anonymous wrote:I
Gentrification? I have to explain that? I've made my opinion clear on that issue. But to summarize, the fact that opportunistic F*cks bulldoze through poor (but "up and coming) areas) to make a buck is disgusting. Do you think AOC is a role model for her constituents? And the fact that she won't back Bernie is enough information for me. He was the most successful "Socialist" around, carving the path for AOC. But she's apparently "withholding support."

I don't see where your views about gentrification differ from AOC's. But for some reason she is wrong and you are right. I really have no idea what Bernie has to do with gentrification.

It's okay for you not to like AOC. But you don't have to mistake facts to do it. Insulting her intelligence while saying stupid things yourself is not a very good look.

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's not fear. They're making fun of her. I don't like her, and I was a reg D for most of my life before shunning politics in 2016. The stories make her look foolish.

holes in her green plan, Pelosi turning her back on it
misunderstanding progressive taxes
the whole fiasco with Amazon
her take on the Smollett case (below)
her views on gentrification - below (And where does she live now?)

They say that Fox makes you less informed than you would be with no news and you appear to be an example. There were problems with the FAQ that was released with the GND, but the actual bill doesn't contain the language that Fox is trying to pass off as the GND. Rather than address the actual legislative language, Fox is misinforming its viewers by fixating on the FAQ which has been withdrawn. AOC actually understands progressive taxes. It has been her critics that don't. I have no idea how you could have mixed this up, but FOX... She, like many, including the Chicago Police Department, believed Smollett. I imagine she holds another position now. I have no idea what your complaint about her views on gentrification might be. What she tweeted is correct, if -- in my opinion -- incomplete.

I don't know why I bother, but whatever.

Let me quote Gates, who leans D. This is what he said this about taxes (and alluded to AOC's agenda):

"In terms of revenue collection, you wouldn't want to just focus on the ordinary income rate, because people who are wealthy have a rounding error of ordinary income," Gates, one of the richest people in the world, told The Verge. "They have income that just is the value of their stock, which if they don't sell it, it doesn't show up as income at all, or if it shows up, it shows over in the capital gains side. So the ability of hedge fund people, various people — they aren't paying that ordinary income rate."

https://www.cnbc.com/2019/02/12/bill-gates-supports-wealth-tax-like-aoc-but-income-is-a-misfocus.html - left of center, by the way

The rich play to win. He's right about selling stock. It simply moves from one area to another w/o penalty. So she will NEVER be able to penalize the rich b/c it's easy to move monies around w/o penalties. Tell me what I'm mixing up? AOC may understand the basics, but she doesn't understand how the rich folks operate. And there are PLENTY of loopholes.

Smollett is a self-loathing moron. Any person with an ounce of brain power could find the holes in his story. 'nuff said about him, as he's destroyed himself and left many political and Hollywood figures speechless

Gentrification? I have to explain that? I've made my opinion clear on that issue. But to summarize, the fact that opportunistic F*cks bulldoze through poor (but "up and coming) areas) to make a buck is disgusting. Do you think AOC is a role model for her constituents? And the fact that she won't back Bernie is enough information for me. He was the most successful "Socialist" around, carving the path for AOC. But she's apparently "withholding support."

unbelievable how people refuse to see through her antics

Anonymous wrote:I work in public housing with DCHFA and DHCD. I don’t n ownwhere people get the impression that there are multi family unit apartment and condo buildings all over DC but there are not (a multi family meaning: low income or affordable units in same building with market rate). You will not find that typically in DC, the closest jurisdiction that does this with some regularity is Montgomery County HOC.

So just drop the illusion that there are all these choices in DC for anyone to rent a unit in a building with affordable units. Primarily in DC low and moderate income housing (section 8) are in buildings or townhomes with others of its kind. From a public policy perspective yes it’s better to have them mixed but a housing authority isn’t going to manage a multi family mixed income unit building, for tax and other reasons. So DC needs developers to build a building like that and there are major roadblocks to how those units are assigned, for how much, etc.

AOC wouldn’t be eligible for an affordable unit anyway. But she doesn’t have a long list of options with regard to trying to move into a building with a bunch of low income regular joes. That’s not how it works.

That's one of the biggest problems in DC. There are places for the rich to live, and affordable places for the poor (qualifying for Section 8) to live, but affordable places for middle class are few and far between. Anyone still criticizing AOC is clearly unfamiliar with DC's real estate market.

I work in public housing with DCHFA and DHCD. I don’t n ownwhere people get the impression that there are multi family unit apartment and condo buildings all over DC but there are not (a multi family meaning: low income or affordable units in same building with market rate). You will not find that typically in DC, the closest jurisdiction that does this with some regularity is Montgomery County HOC.

So just drop the illusion that there are all these choices in DC for anyone to rent a unit in a building with affordable units. Primarily in DC low and moderate income housing (section 8) are in buildings or townhomes with others of its kind. From a public policy perspective yes it’s better to have them mixed but a housing authority isn’t going to manage a multi family mixed income unit building, for tax and other reasons. So DC needs developers to build a building like that and there are major roadblocks to how those units are assigned, for how much, etc.

AOC wouldn’t be eligible for an affordable unit anyway. But she doesn’t have a long list of options with regard to trying to move into a building with a bunch of low income regular joes. That’s not how it works.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She's a total phony - a comfortably middle class suburban girl pretending to be poor.

She has lived in a FREE Bronx apartment (fully paid off, she inherited from late dad) since college. Then she chooses a $2000+ per month apt in D.C. when there are cheap alternatives in more diverse neighborhoods.

Such as? I'd like to see your proposal for a cheaper and more diverse alternative.

There is a lovely 2 BR, 1 BA TH in Capitol Hill for $3000. This does not include utilities. She finds a bestie and she's good to go!

win-win

What makes you think she is not already splitting the $2,000 rent on her current apartment? If she is, she is $500 ahead of your "cheaper" alternative.

with her boyfriend, perhaps?

Well, if we're talking about cheaper rent, she should move further out, pay $1500 total (not including utilities), and take public trans to work. I prefer that the reps "keep it real" by staying true to the platform that got them elected.

We have more than our fair share of hypocrites in office.

Splitting the rent with her boyfriend is perfect. As long as he can stay on her PAC’s payroll they should be good to go. I hope it’s not a secure building. Keeping people from illegally entering her apartment is immoral and wrong.

Ouch!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6722955/amp/Alexandria-Ocasio-Cortez-moves-luxury-apartment-complex-NO-affordable-housing-units.html

Ocasio-Cortez makes $174,000 annually with her congressional salary and has used the funds to move into the posh Navy Yard neighborhood in Washington D.C. that, ironically, is also a favorite of President Donald Trump's staffers.

My mother was a socialist when I was growing up and lived at home. She still is. She painted a picture of socialism that sounded good. I definitely was a lefty in college. Extreme.

But stuff like this is why I cannot take socialism seriously. The minute AOC gets to DC, it’s luxury for her.

If she truly was a working class champion, she’d live somewhere less expensive and donate or help the poor and downtrodden.

That’s supposed to be the difference between people like her and the rich baddies. But it seems all people want is to feed voters a line, get in office, and then, good times.

For security reasons, if nothing else. Not that it's any of your business.
Yep. This is why Orwell's "Animal Farm" is a classic. I am a DC resident--have never understood why the Obamas, Clintons etc. don't send their kids to school with "the people" or live with "the people". Last one to do so was Jimmy Carter (school). There are lots and lots of places to live in DC--she could do the "English basement" experience so many of us did coming up, or live in a "transitional" neighborhood in a less than luxury flat like so many teachers and first responders. Hard to take her seriously, for sure.

Umm, you do realize that Orwell was a socialist and Animal Farm applies to capitalism too, right?

He was a British democratic socialist and in the context of the times Animal Farm applied squarely to the excesses of the Russian Revolution and Stalinism. I think his adage " all animals are equal, but some animal are more equal than others" applies squarely to an American democratic socialist taking a luxury flat... hypocrisy then, hypocrisy now... and remember, what was brilliant in Animal Farm was how the hypocrisy always started so small and with so much justification.

A lot of things are brilliant in Animal Farm. I never thought of it as about "hypocrisy" but as about power systems. If you don't see how it could apply to capitalist systems, I suggest you read it again with that in mind.

We love to hunt hypocrites, but we seldom challenge power. Even when we take power, we end up frittering it away because we are too frightened to keep it. So keep hunting hypocrites while the pigs pick your pocket.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6722955/amp/Alexandria-Ocasio-Cortez-moves-luxury-apartment-complex-NO-affordable-housing-units.html

Ocasio-Cortez makes $174,000 annually with her congressional salary and has used the funds to move into the posh Navy Yard neighborhood in Washington D.C. that, ironically, is also a favorite of President Donald Trump's staffers.

My mother was a socialist when I was growing up and lived at home. She still is. She painted a picture of socialism that sounded good. I definitely was a lefty in college. Extreme.

But stuff like this is why I cannot take socialism seriously. The minute AOC gets to DC, it’s luxury for her.

If she truly was a working class champion, she’d live somewhere less expensive and donate or help the poor and downtrodden.

That’s supposed to be the difference between people like her and the rich baddies. But it seems all people want is to feed voters a line, get in office, and then, good times.

For security reasons, if nothing else. Not that it's any of your business.
Yep. This is why Orwell's "Animal Farm" is a classic. I am a DC resident--have never understood why the Obamas, Clintons etc. don't send their kids to school with "the people" or live with "the people". Last one to do so was Jimmy Carter (school). There are lots and lots of places to live in DC--she could do the "English basement" experience so many of us did coming up, or live in a "transitional" neighborhood in a less than luxury flat like so many teachers and first responders. Hard to take her seriously, for sure.

Umm, you do realize that Orwell was a socialist and Animal Farm applies to capitalism too, right?

He was a British democratic socialist and in the context of the times Animal Farm applied squarely to the excesses of the Russian Revolution and Stalinism. I think his adage " all animals are equal, but some animal are more equal than others" applies squarely to an American democratic socialist taking a luxury flat... hypocrisy then, hypocrisy now... and remember, what was brilliant in Animal Farm was how the hypocrisy always started so small and with so much justification.

Well said.