Alexandria Ocasio Cortez wants us all to know that she cannot afford to rent an apartment in DC. The problem showing how the system just doesn’t allow the representatives of the working class to take their rightful place among the rulers. Or something. The actual problem being that her Congressional salary doesn’t start until January – on the reasonably logical grounds that her job as a Congresswoman doesn’t start until January, when the new House of Representatives is sworn in. The people who were elected two years ago are that House for the moment still, you know, that lame duck session and all that:
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who became the youngest woman ever elected to Congress on Tuesday, said she can’t afford to rent an apartment in Washington, D.C., which she said is proof the electoral system doesn’t accommodate the leadership of working-class people.
Ocasio-Cortez, who was working as a bartender earlier this year, told the New York Times that because her congressional salary doesn’t kick in until January, it’s hard to afford rents in the nation’s expensive capital.
“I have three months without a salary before I’m a member of Congress,” Ocasio-Cortez told the Times. “So, how do I get an apartment? Those little things are very real.”
Well, yes, OK. But then people have been elected to that House since, oooh, the 1790s, and some of them must have been able to manage:
There are many little ways in which our electoral system isn’t even designed (nor prepared) for working-class people to lead.
This is one of them (don’t worry btw – we’re working it out!)
⬇️ https://t.co/PEQ5ccSDSO— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Ocasio2018) November 8, 2018
It is, of course it is, invidious of me, a white, older, male, and not even a citizen nor resident of that Great Country, to offer advice here but how about the idea of moving to DC in January when the job starts, as does the salary?
I suppose a flat share with actual members of the working class and riding to work on the subway is out of the question.
With a $174k salary, she might just be able to get a loan to tide her over.
How does she rent an apartment? Exactly the same as anybody else who has to move for work before the paid work actually starts. Go to the bank and wave your job contract at them. Unless she drops dead she is guranteed to have two years of money starting in January.
She applied for a job, without even thinking about/preparing for the accommodation/commute involved should she actually get it?
I – must – have – it – NOW
Surely there’s some kind soul can offer her a room in the meantime? Obama? Clinton? Pelosi? Surely one of these caring sharing people would be proud to help her out.
I jest of course, she’d get more human consideration from Trump.
I have long observed that those who profess their love of al! humanity often make exceptions for people they actually meet.
And that those who profess indifference to the suffering of individuals likewise make an exception for those they actually meet.
Donald Trump could offer her a spare room in the Whitehouse, the reaction to that should be fun to watch.
Windypants has improved on that before I got to read your reply – otherwise I should have agreed.
I’m glad that Alexandria told me not to worry. I really need the sleep.
Congressmen and women have been sharing apartments for decades. All she needs to do is check CraigsList for roommates wanted. I wonder if she supports the sorts of zoning laws that keep much new housing from being built.
If I were Trump, I’d offer her a room at the nearest Trump Towers buck-shee until January just to watch the snowflakes’ heads explode. You just know she’d be purged as a sell out before she even got sworn in by some quarters.
I’m glad that Alexandria told me not to worry. I really need the sleep.
She applied for a job, without even thinking about/preparing for the accommodation/commute involved should she actually get it?
Donald Trump could offer her a spare room in the Whitehouse, the reaction to that should be fun to watch.
Windypants has improved on that before I got to read your reply – otherwise I should have agreed.
I – must – have – it – NOW
Surely there’s some kind soul can offer her a room in the meantime? Obama? Clinton? Pelosi? Surely one of these caring sharing people would be proud to help her out.
I jest of course, she’d get more human consideration from Trump.
I have long observed that those who profess their love of al! humanity often make exceptions for people they actually meet.
And that those who profess indifference to the suffering of individuals likewise make an exception for those they actually meet.
I suppose a flat share with actual members of the working class and riding to work on the subway is out of the question.
With a $174k salary, she might just be able to get a loan to tide her over.
Congressmen and women have been sharing apartments for decades. All she needs to do is check CraigsList for roommates wanted. I wonder if she supports the sorts of zoning laws that keep much new housing from being built.
How does she rent an apartment? Exactly the same as anybody else who has to move for work before the paid work actually starts. Go to the bank and wave your job contract at them. Unless she drops dead she is guranteed to have two years of money starting in January.
If I were Trump, I’d offer her a room at the nearest Trump Towers buck-shee until January just to watch the snowflakes’ heads explode. You just know she’d be purged as a sell out before she even got sworn in by some quarters.