By SJ Otto
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is already making waves in the US House of Representatives and that is what we need her to do.
Accordingto Politico:
“Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is already making enemies in the House Democratic Caucus — and some of its members are mounting an operation to bring the anti-establishment, democratic socialist with 2.2 million Twitter followers into the fold.
The effort, described by nearly 20 lawmakers and aides, is part carrot, part stick: Some lawmakers with ties to Ocasio-Cortez are hoping to coax her into using her star power to unite Democrats and turn her fire on Republicans. Others simultaneously warn Ocasio-Cortez is destined for a lonely, ineffectual career in Congress if she continues to treat her own party as the enemy.
“I’m sure Ms. Cortez means well, but there’s almost an outstanding rule: Don’t attack your own people,” said Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.). “We just don’t need sniping in our Democratic Caucus.”
For the last 30 years the Democratic Party has gotten a lot of middle of the road centrist and some slightly left of center candidates elected into office. The party has been very timid. While Republicans have pushed for and successfully imbedded their far-to-the-right agenda on the American public, the Democrats have run issueless campaigns designed to offend no one. The Republicans, on the other hand, have viciously attacked their opponents. The Democrats have lost more elections than they have won and the Republicans have controlled all there branches of government—that is until this year when they won back the house. One reason for the Democrat’s success were the Ocasio-Cortez kind of candidates. Until recently Ocasio-Cortez type of candidate were extremely rare in this country. A new progressive wing has emerged since Bernie Sanders ran for president as a Democrat. He used to run as an independent. Now there has been a new interest in democratic socialism here in the US
Ocasio-Cortez is emerging as a leader on the Democratic Party’s left. Just a week ago she was interviewed by 60 minutes. There hasn’t been much of a left for the Democrats in the last 30 years. So it is no surprise that the more older and established Democrats are not happy with the idea that they may have to change their ways or at least support those Democrats who do. For many years the Democrats have been extremely disappointing for those who have wanted to support progressive politics and progressive politicians. Now we have some politicians worth supporting. They are worth voting for and they are worth giving support.
After 30 years of political muck and Democrat presidents that avoided the left with a passion, this country may finally be ready for some change. Not all progressive Democrats won during the last election. The old guard is not going to just fade away. It is going to be a knock down, dragged out fight for control of the Democratic Party. And we still have a very powerful Republican Party with their bag of dirty tricks. But if nothing else, we can finally see a glimpse of light at the end of the political tunnel. We may finally get past the idea that socialism is a dirty word.
Pix by Rolling Stone.