Fmr. Obama Lead Adviser Says What We're All Thinking About AOC: 'Economically Ignorant'
She has her share of detractors, but it is not just people on the right who think that what Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez proposes would be disastrous for America.
Her latest critic was a member of former President Barack Obama’s administration.
So, what New York Times contributing writer Steven Rattner had to say about one of the New York Democrat’s latest tweets should carry a lot of weight on both sides of the aisle.
“This may be the most economically ignorant statement I have ever read,” the former lead adviser to Obama’s 2009 Presidential Task Force on the Auto Industry tweeted Friday.
This may be the most economically ignorant statement I have ver read. https://t.co/6iURWXEaq9
— Steven Rattner (@SteveRattner) February 15, 2019
But Rattner didn’t only hit Ocasio-Cortez over her “economic ignorance.” He also wrote an Op-Ed for The New York Times, “Your Grandchildren are Already in Debt,” in which he blasted expensive policy proposals like her Green New Deal.
“Medicare for All. The Green New Deal. Free college tuition,” Rattner wrote. “With each new entrant into the Democratic presidential sweepstakes comes a fresh cascade of ambitious social programs to entice and excite would-be supporters.”
On the other side of the balance sheet, he argued, there just isn’t enough new revenue make the new American socialism work.
“The list of ‘payfors,’ to use a bit of Washington jargon, grows more slowly. They’ll pay for this how, again? Tax the rich, tax the rich — or take cover behind a convenient bit of progressive dogma: Don’t worry about the fiscal impact because America’s rising budget deficits and debt levels don’t much matter.”
The problem with that thinking is that, well, it isn’t thinking. It’s hoping.
The reality is somewhat different.
“Vast increases in debt will ultimately compromise Washington’s ability to maintain its current array of spending programs, let alone add new ones, and threaten our standard of living,” Rattner wrote.
What Rattner wrote may seem like common sense to many Americans, but as he pointed out, a number of Democrats are pushing this narrative. Ocasia-Cortez is one of them; she’s even planning a national tour:
Let’s go:
‘We’re starting a 15-city tour + a 50-State campaign, starting in early primary states, to build political and public support for a Green New Deal.’ – @sunrisemvmt#ThisIsWhatDemocracyLooksLike ⬇️ https://t.co/bFs1nozd6e
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) February 14, 2019
What does it say about American politics that bankrupting future generations would even be considered by voters, much less those tasked with serving the public? What does it say about the Democratic Party that so many would embrace a disastrous stance rather than taking a principled stand for what is best for America and their own constituents?
When even prominent members of your own party are calling you out over your seriously flawed proposals, perhaps it’s time to reconsider. That is, of course, if your real agenda is to serve those who elected you and pay you.
Otherwise, it doesn’t really matter much, does it?
Truth and Accuracy
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.
Advertise with The Western Journal and reach millions of highly engaged readers, while supporting our work. Advertise Today.
