Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez – Everything for Everyone - While Rome Burns

29 years old, street smart, and wonderfully idealistic, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is enjoying a spectacular ascent in the political world. She is bright, engaging, and strong. At 29 years of age, she is, in fact, the youngest Congressperson in the 116^th Congress and the youngest female member in the history of the United States Congress. And, she is a much-needed breadth of fresh air.

Unfortunately, she is also a gift to the Trump Republicans who badly need a foil at a time they are flailing and searching for someone to feed to their dwindling base. And Ms Ocasio-Cortez, with her well-meaning “socialist” agenda, is just that person.

All that she wants to see happen (free medical care for all, social safety nets and the like) help the neediest among us and seem like wonderful programs to strive for. In normal times, all that she champions are worthy elements of future legislation. But, with an angry and divided electorate and with a President fueling discord, there could not be a worse time to champion her agenda.

Indeed, we are at a hugely serious moment in the country’s history, one that could actually lead to a frightening rupture in its very fabric. Let’s hope she recognizes quickly that her best strategy is to play an informed and supportive role in an effort to heal divisions and safeguard the future of the country.