As Twitchy told you last night, Woman of the People Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez attempted to argue that in the interest of preserving politicians’ integrity, congressmen and women need a raise:
Ocasio Cortez says efforts to hike Congressional pay “may not be politically popular to say but honestly this is why there's so much pressure to turn to lobbying firms and to cash in on member service after people leave because precisely of this issue.”
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) June 11, 2019
Evidently there weren’t enough people who were on board with her logic, because this morning, she doubled down in a series of tweets:
Yep. Voting against cost of living increases for members of Congress may sound nice, but doing so only increases pressure on them to keep dark money loopholes open.
This makes campaign finance reform *harder.*
ALL workers deserve cost of living increases, incl min wage workers. https://t.co/fCdgHKx4G1
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) June 11, 2019
In democratically socialist businesses (like worker co-ops) or methods (like collective bargaining) you actually CAN vote for a worker pay increase.
Many do!
We can’t pass these laws bc of big money. This is how you chip at it.
Like I said, it’s not popular but I’m being ? https://t.co/toFwbs56x0
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) June 11, 2019
What this does is punish members who rely on a straight salary, and reward those who rely on money loopholes and other forms of self-dealing.
For example, it incentivizes the horrible kinds of legislative looting we saw in the GOP tax scam bill.
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) June 11, 2019
It’s not a fun or politically popular position to take. But consistency is important.
ALL workers should get cost of living increases. That’s why minimum wage should be pegged to inflation, too.
Voting against cost of living increases is 1 reason why dark $ loopholes stay open.
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) June 11, 2019
She’s so stunning and brave, standing up for the congressional little guys (and gals) who just need a little more money to keep them honest. But if you’re still not convinced, maybe this will finally win you over:
Ocasio-Cortez, who makes $174,000, says she needs a raise like minimum wage workers: “Congress, retail workers, everybody should get cost of living increases to accommodate for changes in our economy”
On the $4,500 raise she wants: “It’s not even like a raise”
Video: Fox News pic.twitter.com/iLXNJ9SeS2
— Ryan Saavedra (@RealSaavedra) June 11, 2019
.@AOC defends a $4,500 pay raise for herself: "It's not even like a raise." pic.twitter.com/ugFaZuSm7c
— Molly Prince (@mollyfprince) June 11, 2019
Does she not have a handler who can take her shovel away?
She was a bartender 8 months ago, now 174k isn't enough money for her. ? https://t.co/UyLAeFQc5V
— GOP Pouncer (@Mellecon) June 11, 2019
Anyone out there that can use an extra $325 a month? She Guevara doesn’t count it as real ?. https://t.co/G9zYYNzh8e
— Pouncing Coder Brad (@bradcundiff) June 11, 2019
Inspiring that her and @SenSanders solve wealth inequality in this country by making themselves richer first ?
— the @MTA makes New Yorkers miserable (@chongamamixo) June 11, 2019
"If we had $4,500 more dollars, maybe there would be less insider trading," basically https://t.co/ZeC9bINWkf
— Brent Scher (@BrentScher) June 11, 2019
“Pay me or I’ll go crooked”
— Dan (@enoughardd161) June 11, 2019
I know DC is expensive but I know a lot LOT of people that live there and aren't under "pressure" to be corrupt. And they don't make anywhere close to $14,500 per month. https://t.co/KMtg0ceh6a
— Ben (@BenHowe) June 11, 2019
"What led you to this life of crime?"
My $174K/Year Congressional salary just wasn't enough to live on. I really didn't have a choice.
— (((AG))) (@AG_Conservative) June 11, 2019
My favorite part about her claim is that we are supposed to believe that a 4-5 figure raise will prevent people from pursuing MILLIONS OF DOLLARS in book deals, lobbying, consulting etc.
— Ben (@BenHowe) June 11, 2019
Right. Yes, all these people will magically give up becoming millionaires if you raise it to 177K/Year.
At least just admit that you just want a raise and think you're entitled to more of other people's money.
— (((AG))) (@AG_Conservative) June 11, 2019
And that’s really what it all boils down to: her getting more of other people’s money.
Love how she justifies it by saying the American people need to make more money. well the money we make pays your salary, so if you make more it’s being taken from us
— Dre (@AcSeuf) June 11, 2019
Hey, what can she say? Socialists gonna socialist.
Editor’s note: This post has been updated with an additional tweet.
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