Is AOC really this dumb?
The editorial board of The New York Post strongly criticized Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) for expressing concern about the increasing cost of living in New York City for working-class individuals. While acknowledging the accuracy of Ocasio-Cortez’s observation, the board attributed the problem to the policies advocated by her and other progressives.
In the published editorial on Tuesday, the board concurred with Ocasio-Cortez’s statement that “They can’t afford to live here anymore” in reference to working-class New Yorkers. However, it asserted that the very policies endorsed by the lawmaker and her progressive allies have contributed to the city’s soaring expenses.
Ocasio-Cortez made her remarks during a town hall meeting, emphasizing that it was the working class, not the wealthy, who were grappling with the financial burden of residing in the city. She proposed increased taxes on the affluent as a solution.
The editorial criticized Ocasio-Cortez for advocating policies that, in its view, have led to the current crisis, such as supporting the admission of immigrants into the country, particularly in New York. It pointed out that the cost of accommodating and sustaining these migrants was exceeding $12 billion through fiscal 2025.
The editorial also addressed progressive housing policies, citing a survey indicating that one-third of New Yorkers were spending more than half their income on rent. The board argued that the push for additional rent control measures was exacerbating the scarcity of housing in the city.
Furthermore, the editorial highlighted actions taken by progressive lawmakers that contributed to the reduction of available housing, including blocking the renewal of the 421a tax break for developers and the Tenant Protection Act of 2019, which removed 43,000 units from the market due to restrictions on landlords covering renovation costs.
As a consequence, the city is expected to see only 11,000 new housing units constructed this year, half the number from 2022.
The board also criticized Ocasio-Cortez’s climate change agenda, asserting that it was causing a surge in power prices for New Yorkers. Progressive criminal justice reforms were not spared either, with the editorial claiming that such changes had resulted in billions of dollars being stolen through shoplifting.
The editorial concluded by expressing skepticism about Ocasio-Cortez’s proposed solution of taxing the rich, arguing that this would further drive wealthy individuals away from the state and city. It warned that if progressive ideologies continued to dominate New York, the city would become increasingly unaffordable, leading to a heightened exodus of residents.