In the latest edition of democratic socialists say the dumbest things, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), while on the “It’s Open” podcast, told the world: “You can’t earn a billion dollars… you have to create a myth of earning it.”
Instead of mocking AOC’s latest ludicrous statement, I think Americans would be wise to take it very seriously. What’s more, it would behoove the American people to take the threat of democratic socialism in the United States much more seriously.
AOC’s goofy remark echoes the democratic socialist fallacy that the economy is a zero-sum game.
It reveals their disdain for success, hard work, entrepreneurship, meritocracy, free-market economics, etc. It also displays their preconceived notion that wealth is not gained by providing goods and services that consumers desire, but rather by some sort of deception or illusion.
Democratic socialism plays on humanity’s worst instincts and impulses, like envy and class warfare. It seeks to divide America into different camps: oppressors v. oppressed, victims v. victimizers.
By nature, it prioritizes redistribution of existing wealth over fostering future wealth generation and greater overall prosperity.
Specifically, democratic socialists seek to massively expand the size and scope of the federal government. They want the full nanny state, including universal health care, free college, free childcare, free paid leave, a universal basic income, rent subsidies, etc.
Democratic socialists are the architects of and advocates for the Green New Deal (GND), which would codify much of the above agenda into law. The GND would also eliminate fossil fuels and mandate the so-called green transition.
Despite the anti-freedom, pro-collectivist policies, democratic socialism is more popular than ever.
Before Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), the godfather of democratic socialism in America, almost won the 2016 Democratic Party Presidential nomination, most Americans had probably never even heard the term democratic socialism.
A mere decade later, democratic socialism has become a political force. Democratic socialism is very popular with young Americans, even self-identified Republicans. Democratic socialism is also very popular among most Democrats.
Democratic socialists have been elected to the U.S. Congress. They sit in state legislatures. They reside on city councils. They run New York City and Seattle!
Above all, the democratic socialists have the money. AOC is a fundraising juggernaut. So is Bernie. Big unions and big funders on the left are finding common cause with the democratic socialists. Even billionaires, in certain cases, are allowed to give money or run for office under the banner of democratic socialism.
Speaking of the billionaires, is AOC going to tell Gov. JB Pritzker of Illinois how terrible he is and that the Hyatt Hotels empire is a myth. I think not.
Frankly, democratic socialists are most consumed with one thing only: power. If they must buddy up to a billionaire who is down with their cause, all is good. It is purely transactional.
They want to micromanage every aspect of the economy and society. They are tyrannical.
As we stand on the cusp of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, I hope Americans realize that democratic socialism is not only the antithesis of America’s founding principles, but also totalitarianism.
Chris Talgo (ctalgo@heartland.org) is editorial director at The Heartland Institute.