Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez says she can’t afford apartment in DC until she receives congressional salary
“I have three months without a salary before I’m a member of Congress. So, how do I get an apartment?
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who became the youngest woman elected to Congress Tuesday, said she cannot afford to rent an apartment in Washington, D.C., until her congressional salary kicks in.
Ocasio-Cortez, 29, made national headlines after she defeated 10-term Rep. Joe Crowley in New York's June primary, and will now represent the state’s 14th Congressional District. She told The New York Times that the transition period from now until she starts her job “will be very unusual, because I can’t really take a salary.”
“I have three months without a salary before I’m a member of Congress. So, how do I get an apartment? Those little things are very real,” Ocasio-Cortez told The New York Times.
She told the paper she saved up before she left her job as a bartender at a New York City restaurant.
Tags
Who is online
424 visitors
Start a GoFundMe account so others will pay their "fair share" to put a roof over your head, kiddo!
Keep "working it out", Ms. Socialist. You graduated 4th in your BU class and have degrees in International Relations and Economics but the best job you could get since graduation was bartender ... AND you haven't saved any money since graduation.
Bartending actually pays pretty well....especially if you're young, pretty and stupid.
I omitted that she's also worked as a waitress and allegedly created a publishing company since her 2011 graduation. Very strange that she couldn't get jobs in her fields of studies in 7 years, especially since she graduated #4 cum laude from such a prestigious university during Obama's booming economic job growth years.
Dunno if you have kids in college, but I do. The modern liberal arts education system is positively prolific at rubber stamping kids without actually making them learn anything.
The whole process is hidden behind the idea that "they should study what they're interested in". True. They should ALSO study shit they're not actually interested in but that everybody with a college degree should know. AOC clearly missed those.
I do not feel sorry for her in the least!
Nobody's asking you for shit.
Oh, I am so hurt by your response. My humble apologies for upsetting your delicate sensibilities. Noooottttt
1. I couldn't give a shit whether you're hurt or not
2. You couldn't possibly upset me. [deleted]
I am glad poor working folks will at least have one representative in Congress...
"Poor working folks" have a total of 535 (including the Senate) congressional people to represent them. Unfortunately, most of them don't perform the jobs the "poor working folks" elected them to do.
Don't expect Alexandria to be any better. Through her statements, she has repeatedly proven that she has shit for brains and now she admits that she doesn't know how to save her own money.
And a large percentage of those "folks" have the republican party dedicated to doing every it can to prevent them from having that representation.
Your "Representative", apparently isn't happy with staying in the place she's living in now. She "WANTS" better on the "poor working class folks" dime !
Knocking the pegs out from under me? You do not even come close. I have been insulted by far better people than you. I find your pitiful and purile attempts at insults and derogatory commentary to be totally laughable and pathetic! You just go right ahead and try while myself and others laugh our backsides off at your attempts just like I know you will. You have a nice day now....
My apologies. The above comment was meant for Athiest. I though I had deleted the comment.
She is hilarious. When I was stationed in DC as an Ensign in the CG, I got an apartment in Glen Burnie, MD at 1/4 the cost of one in DC. Lived very comfortably, I might add. Glen Burnie is 40 miles one way on excellent roads - til it snows.
Have you priced apartments in driving distance of DC any time in the last 10 years?
Deleted by seeder.
Yeah, with your housing allowance plus an officer's pay which is much more than she was making. Way to show off how little you know about her situation which is nothing at all like yours.
I am surprised Pelosi hasn't sunk her claws into this one already. "Need a place to stay? No problem take your pick- just remember this the first time I come to twist your arm for a vote."
The road between them has been shaky, at best. Cortez hasn't said that she'd endorse Pelosi, and Pelosi's opinion of her has been lukewarm.
What kind of a person would mock this young lady? A well-spoken young person with no wealth manages to win a seat with her dynamic personality. Everyone always bitches about how congresspeople are all millionaires in it for themselves, corrupt, been there too long, yada, yada, yada. What a breath of fresh air this young lady is.
What kind of a person would be so hateful and petty as to mock her for having no money? The same kind of person who would support Donald Trump in his campaign of hate and division, that's what kind.
[deleted]
It seems that some only want to be represented by those who don't have to work for a living.
I don't see this as anything that unusual. The average rent for a 1 bedroom in D.C. area is $2170, one of the highest in the country and without a paycheck coming in I can understand her comment.
When Harry Truman first went to DC, he couldn't afford to live there, either.
Jasper, you've had a real hard-on for this young woman ever since she first appeared on the scene.
Seeding a couple of articles and making a few comments about Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez constitutes "a hard-on"? I'd really enjoy reading your explanation as to how you reached this conclusion.
lol
Eloquently said! I always welcome your input on my seeds.
What is funny, just last year a republican lawmaker wanted to pass a monthly subsidy of $2500. (basically a 30 grand a year raise) for all members of congress, citing that it is too expensive to live in DC.
We have a person in Congress now who cannot manage to solve a basic problem of life. I am sure her constituents are now real comfy that she is ready to represent their interests.
Ocasio-Cortez was a NYC public school teacher. She is not rich or privileged. Digs in DC are notoriously expensive. This is why many members of Congress sleep in their offices or share a flophouse and thid includes many republicans. Talk about your logical fallacies! That was plainly uninformed nonsense fed by false far rightwing propaganda. I expected better from you...
Do not p r e s u m e JBB. Just stick with what I wrote.
Ocasio-Cortez complained that she has 3 months without a salary (a cash flow problem). That was the problem I mentioned in my comment @ 12 :
She complained of a predictable cash flow problem . Easily addressed: she has absolute proof of employment earning $174,000 per year as a US congressperson and thus will have no problem getting credit for the three months. This credit can be an agreement with a landlord, a short-term loan. etc. Problem addressed.
Further, she is among plenty of freshman congresspersons many of whom face similar problems and she has access to elder congresspersons / aides who can provide advice on the oft-repeated transition problem for freshmen congresspersons. Her stated short term cash flow problem is not unusual and rather easily addressed.
Now, that explained, my comment is that if my newly elected congressperson starts off his/her term publicly complaining about a simple cash flow problem, I have to wonder about that person's ability to do the job for which he/she was elected.
Period. Nothing more is to be read into my brief comment @ 12 . Just the immediate logic of the words.
[Removed]
[deleted]
Cortez is hardly the first Congress Critter to complain about that problem, but I think she's the first who wasn't wealthy when she did.
It seems a bit beneath you to be jumping on her for this issue. I expect that from the seeder and the other conservatives here, not from you.
Well then both of us are quite disappointed with the other. This is not ideological or partisan (at least not for me), it is basic logic.
So tell me Skrekk, do you NOT understand that a congressperson making $174,000 can easily get credit to cover 3 months without a salary?
This is not a difficult problem to solve.
Repeating my summary:
If you were elected as a congressperson and had zero funds yet had a solid pending income, would you be able to work out your predictable 3-month transition? If not, should your constituents question your ability to solve the substantially more challenging problems for which you were elected?
You can teach in NYC with a TPD license. It's how "Teach for America" teachers can teach without a license. It does require some classwork but not a MS in education.
Tig,
I think what Skrekk is upset about is that the topic isn't only about Ms. Cortez, but other generalities about liberals that are within the article.
But then again, I could be wrong.
The problem with topics that are heavily political or ideological is that everything gets simplified down to a dichotomy. If the topic is about a D, it is expected that all Rs will take a net negative position on the D. If the topic is about an R, the Ds will generally take a negative position. Partisan thinking.
Funny thing about life is that it is not black and white. And both Rs and Ds can make stupid comments and do stupid things. Yet rarely do we find individuals who can (or will) break free of the partisan thinking and just deal with the facts.
To be clear, if this article was about a freshman R male congressman with a small net worth I would have made the exact same comment.
A 3-month cash flow problem given a $174,000 easily verified salary is an easy problem to solve.
BRAVO!!
Then he should address the article rather than my comment (and me personally). My comment was quite specifically about an easily addressed cash flow problem. Something that should be easily solved by a congressperson who has been elected to deal with far more complex problems on behalf of her constituents.
I have managed multimillion dollar companies while being numerically challenged. I can organize, manage employees, motivate and meet production expectations, but I DO get bogged down with numbers. I learned to HIRE competent people with expertise in the areas where I needed them. If I were to be elected to Congress [katie bar the door] I would immediately hire someone like Perrie to help me spend my funds wisely and keep me on budget.
That being said, I'm sure someone will inform Ocasio-Cortez that she can live in her office for free...
Good question. Hard for us indies to get our head wrapped around.
Exactly right. Very well said.
... or how to work out a credit arrangement with a landlord, secure a line-of-credit with a local financial firm, etc.
This cash flow problem is not unlike the basic problems faced by college students, et.al. Plenty of people with a secured $174,000 pending income would be able to figure out how to cover a 3 month cash flow problem. Not something a freshman congressperson should be making a public issue. Just deal with it.
Bravo, but just acknowledge that it is coming from you, if such was coming from me, I wouldn't be given even the little benefit of the doubt that they gave you...
The idea that you cannot be "partisan" and still deal with the facts is just nonsense. It is a form of nonsense that we hear from "independents" all the time.
-
According to a new story in the French newspaper LeMonde, Donald Trump insulted the prime ministers and representatives of the Baltic states the first time he met them by accusing them of having started the 1990's conflict in Yugoslavia. He thought he was talking to the BALKAN leaders, but because he's an ignoramus he mixed up Baltic and Balkan (which are two entirely different groups of nations).
If I say Trump is an idiot you may say I am being partisan, where I say I am following facts.
Frankly, what we see are independents and libertarians and other "non partisans" who have been overly blase about Trump and in fact play an inadvertent part in enabling him.
I suggest that instead of obsessing over President Trump you read the seeded article before making another comment. He is not the topic.
I hear ya. If I had been a Trump supporter for the past three years I wouldn't want to talk about it either.
Is partisan politics the topic?
Perrie and Tig commented about partisans. I didn't see you tell them they are off topic.
Yes, college students DO tend to take on large amounts of debt. In this instance, there is no reason to do so. She can move into her office for free...
Of course one can be partisan and also deal with facts. If only that were more common.
Kind of depends on the specifics, right? If one gets bent out of shape about Trump cheating at golf then that is almost certainly partisanship. If one is upset about Trump's horrid unpresidential demeanor then that would be following the evidence.
Bottom line, rarely are matters in reality black or white. It is important for people to be critical or supportive regardless of partisanship. Just because Cortez is a D does not mean that everything she says is right or that everything she says is wrong. Just because Trump is an R (at least officially for the moment) does not mean that Ds should reject everything he says or does and that Rs should support everything he says or does.
Alas, that is generally not how things work with politics.
I agree, but she hasn't been a college student for over 7 years. She worked as a bartender and waitress for several years, but she apparently doesn't have any savings or a high enough credit rating to secure an apartment. How did she pay her expenses in college (Boston) or in NY over the years? Credit card(s), cell phone, Internet, housing, food, health/dental, transportation, college loans, etc?
All she currently needs is 2 months' rent plus security, which wouldn't have been difficult for her to save in 7 years. I also understand that she created a publishing firm, so there should be some income from that endeavor.
Since she's so destitute, she should consider sharing an apartment.
Feel free to report Perrie and TiG to Perrie.
My comments in this matter do not even consider her financial position. To me, it is immaterial to my point.
My point: Any freshman congressperson (D, R or otherwise) has a extremely verifiable pending salary of $174,000 per year. That is a solid foundation for securing credit. Thus it is quite easy for any freshman congressperson to bridge a three month cash flow gap. Not a difficult problem for someone who has been elected to the House and who is expected to deal with far more complex issues in support of her constituents.
My point really has nothing to do with housing or anything else specifically. Just commenting on making a public issue of a predictable, common and easily solved problem of short-term cash flow during the transition period.
lol. They aren't really the ones who decide what is off topic on this seed.
I don't believe that people are "partisan" because they believe that everything their side says is right( Certainly Democrats or progressives can be wrong about something). They are partisan because they advocate a political ideology or policy as being better for the country. I don't get involved in defending Democrats or progressives if they say or do something wrong. Of course I dont let Fox News or Trump or Infowars or even Lindesy Graham or Paul Ryan decide liberals are wrong, I use my own judgement.
I don't have any problem with "independents", I'm sure I agree with a lot of what they say. A lot of times though, independents act like they are the only ones who can contribute anything useful to the dialogue.
I previously agreed with you, and I agree with you a 2nd time.
Whoever you are, it's time to knock it off. Discuss the seeded topic or be gone.
I do not either. But I do believe (based on clear evidence) that there are pure partisans who will defend or support based on partisan lines. You have to realize this is true. Since you are on the D side I will use an obvious R example. Look at the people who defend Trump in all cases. See? Now they may not actually believe everything their side says is right, but they are nevertheless operating as pure partisans.
And this occurs on the D side too. So there you go.
Certainly. There are many who have concluded that it is in the best interest to have their party in control. It is a macro conclusion and results in straight party line votes. I understand that and am not critical of those who have seriously considered the facts and decided this in result.
What I am critical of, however, is always following the party line on every issue. That is deferring to partisan politics rather than critical thinking. It is a dangerous practice.
So just because Cortez is a D does not mean she is always right or always wrong. As with every other person on the planet, the criticism depends upon the specifics - not the registered party.
I've seen on other threads where he was called "John". I haven't seen Russell for a few days. Maybe?
E.A You " Seen " Him he had to " adopt a new Moniker " :-)
[deleted]
For the record - I did not flag your comment as "off topic". Someone else must have done it.
I thought only the seeder/author of the article could do that?
That's what the flagging drop-down window states, but I've seen other seeders (conservatives, btw) say that they didn't flag comments that were deleted as "off topic". So, it seems that mods are somehow informed through other methods and they take action?
I've also been having trouble using the flagging option in general for a while. Most times, the window won't open.
[meta]
[deleted]
[There is] a [place for meta. You can find] it [on] the [top of every page. Please stop discussing meta in articles or you will start] to get [points.]
[deleted]
Ask Perrie. I trust her to be honest with you.
Personally i find the off topic device is used just as much for trying to push a narrative the authors way than not. And i see both sides doing it.
A mod can mark an item off topic, which this was since it was meta. We have just decided to handle it more clearly.
[Removed]
Ah okay ..... i did not know that
In other words, any NT member can override the seeder/author by privately contacting you or a mod to report what they think is an "off topic" comment - based upon political partisanship. This explains the unwarranted tickets many people, including me, have received.
Thanks for clarifying.
I am unsure how you made that leap. It is not about being "Off Topic" per se. It is about if the off topic is Meta. No, it means that if I personally see, while moderating a comment that is meta, I will remove it. Members do not tend to report meta. Furthermore, unless abused, meta is a no point violation.
Actually no. We don't write up off topic for no reason.
I didn't mention meta in comment 12.2.51 . My comment was simply an overall impression/assessment of how members can flag comments as "off-topic".
Agree 100%. I am quite proud to proclaim myself a Indie. Got one idividual posting here who is quite fond of calling me and other Indies "Fence sitters with splinters in thier asses". They know who they are.
She need only learn the ropes from the Speaker. She doesn't NEED to find an apartment in DC, she can live in her office while in Washington, just like Paul Ryan has, even though he is a millionaire, for his entire time in Congress. There is a long list of Congressman who do the same.
There you go!
If she did that on her own, the "Reported" SAD Story she wanted to get out to the public, would just go to waste !
Poor Alexandria !!!!!
I cry for her....don't you ?
No more than I did when Rep. Jason Chaffetz and other 50+ members of the 'Couch Caucus' told the same SAD story.
So you agree....her sob story.....is really a non-story.
STOP trying to put words in my mouth.
The only sobbing going on here is from trumpumpers still crying over getting their asses whipped last Tuesday.
asses whipped? The scum on the left couldn't knock an old lady off her toilet even with the voting irregularities of Broward county and CA elections
The 'scum on the left' knocked off Walker, Kobach, Laxalt, Barletta, Heller, Housley, Morrissey, Renacci, Rosendale and Vulmir so far [still some undecided]. Those are just the Republican candidates for Governor or Senate that lost AFTER accepting Trump's 'embrace'.
Hardly a blue wave. What happened to that?
Kavanaugh happened to that....
Heck even the progressive talking heads were calling it a "Blue Ripple" three days before the election. (here in WA State)
True, It was a scandal what they did to that man and it did shrink whatever chance of a "wave" they might of had. Can you imagine if they failed to even take the House? That would have been a "turn to Jesus" moment for liberals.
Slide of hand deflection.
BTFW, that list doesn't even include the Republicans that accepted the Trump 'embrace' that lost in the House.
But it does include all the Republicans that retired from the House, leaving their seats particularly vulnerable. How many were there? How many did you win? Very similar numbers, wouldn't you say?
So you went from the 'scum' can't knock anyone off to 'whataboutism'.
BTW, not all of the Districts where Republicans retired flipped. Fail...
They were running away so fast I lost count.
I didn't run.
If so, all that gerrymandering failed...
They are still scum
They were running away so fast I lost count.
Is that what they were doing?
If so, all that gerrymandering failed...
Let's leave Pennsylvania out of this
While your comment is still bullshit.
Judging by their own statements, IMHO, yes.
Sure as long as we can include NC, SC, IN, MI, TX, GA, WI et al.
E.A Hey YOU
Do not CornFuse the
Its Me!!
So...... it IS a worthy story ?
Even with cheating in FL and GA.
For the first time she may have connected with what once was middle class America & the working poor. She is about to move into one of the most expensive area's in the country - the DC/Northern Virginia neighborhood. Home to all the excessively overpaid federal employees and beltway bandits.
What are you talking about? Ocasio-Cortez is a school teacher from The Bronx.
Yup, thus the connection to all those left behind
You've made this claim twice, JBB. She has never been a public school teacher anywhere in NYC, because she does not have a teaching license. Since her 2011 college graduation, she's worked as a community organizer, waitress, and bartender.
Her family moved out of The Bronx when she was a child. For the majority of her life, she lived in trendy Yorktown Heights in Westchester County.
If you're talking about the following, one doesn't need a teaching license to create a publishing firm or participate on a panel:
I can feel you pain.
As I do your's
Did she graduate?
I remember when Hillary was claiming to be dead broke too. I have no problem believing these leftists spend more than they make.
Bill's salary as Governor of Arkansas was only $20,000 per year. The Clintons never even owned a home until after they left the White House. I visited their rented digs in Little Rock during the time Bill was between gubinatorial terms. They didn't even own any nice furniture. They mostly lived around a folding card table sitting on cheap folding chairs. I got the idea they were not home bodies. Hillary was the sole breadwinner those two years Bill was out of work. So, there is a lot of truth to that. Neither Bill or Hillary came from money. The first really big paydays for either Clinton was when they signed post presidency book deals...
I don't know where you get your info, but your "facts" are wrong again. Bill Clinton was governor from 1983-1992. According to left-wing LA Times, here are the facts from 1991:
It was very nice of them to invite you into their private home and let you look around.
I was under the impression that the article was about Cortez?
Why do I get the strange feeling her next brilliant "FREEforall" idea will be free apartment rent for everyone..
Why do we all get the feeling you are just ridiculing her for not being rich?
Many members of Congress sleep in their offices or share efficiency apartments with other members because they cannot afford to support two homes. What Ocasio-Cortez is dealing with is near universal for all new members of Congress who are not very wealthy. Or, didn't you know?
Oh..... I don't know.
E.A The only thing is they forget the root word for " apartment " see what they have in Japan to accommodate " Shelf/Drawer types :-)
Those places ain't cheap either !
This ones gonna be like a little kid in a candy shop !
Isn't tax payer "Capitalism" Great Miss Cortez ?
Wonder when she gets to use her degree. So far, when asked, she's has no idea what her degree was actually about.
Her Degree in "economics and international relations" that is.
E.A Hey stop That!!!
It is a Class above a cardboard box in the Pavement!!!
Aren't those "Foreigner" Friendly Apartment Boxes ! About $600.00 a month, Includes "Community Bathroom" facilities ? WooHoo !
Seed locked until tomorrow.
Open for business again.
I’m sure that if she would just promise to compromise her values and fuck over her constituency, some lobbyist will give her a sweet rental deal.
Answer to #1 is simple, because fox news isn't really news and they only hire people with room temperature IQ's.
Too bad we can't access the source of your post.
"I have three months without a salary before I’m a member of Congress. So, how do I get an apartment?"
Where does she live now ? Digs not Worthy of her new " Status " ?
Seems She actually "NEEDS" the big "capitalist" bucks to survive the way she's "Dreaming" of.
And here I thought she was all about "being Common" !
Hard to tell - I can't find a site that lists a town/city where she actually lives. She ran in The Bronx, but she's lived most of her life in Yorktown Heights (Westchester County) which is about 20 minutes from Bill and Hillary in Chappaqua, NY.
Maybe she used to live at the "Coffee Shop" ?
Why does anyone care about how she's going to pay her rent unless it is illegal?
We often have the most inane topics attract the most attention.
I don't know, but thank you for making so many comments on my "inane" topic.
Personally, I'm betting that she becomes a millionaire before she needs to find an in city apartment.
And somehow her clothing morphed into designer clothes from when she claims to have bought them to when she appeared on the campaign trail.
the last person I remember wearing K-mart grade clothing was Patty Murray (she of the "Tennis Shoe Brigade" fame) who actually had people donating money for her to get better dressed on the campaign trail.
Her first appearance on stage after her election, 2,000 dollar suit.
Now look at her financials......
Doesn't matter what party you belong to, get elected, go to Washington DC , and get rich.
And a socialist to boot, so she may actually have a problem, socialists are the stuffed in the back corner members of the democrat party. reliable votes with no chance to get anything passed... The big money names will be shying away from her...
[ deleted ]
I am concerned that Russian agents might try to bribe this Congresswoman
Not necessary to 'bribe' Cortez. Trump has been in 'the bag' for decades. Fortunately for the US, the Trumps net worth to the Russians will be expiring very soon. Wait for it.
Many negative comments about Cortez in this story. Which is probably 100% accurate. It is also accurate that the 'vast majority' of our American citizens are in exactly the same boat.
Cortez is refreshing, reflecting the true reality of being a common American citizen in a very uncommon America.
It's puzzling. She should just pay for it...