Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez: Fox News tried to shame the youngest congresswoman ever for being unable to afford DC rent

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez made history in the midterm elections by becoming the youngest woman elected to the US House of Representatives.

The 29-year-old political newcomer shot to fame earlier this year when she unexpectedly defeated ten-term representative Joe Crowley in the Democratic primary for New York's 14th district, and she looks set to help shape for course of US politics for years to come.

But before she can do that, she revealed to The New York Times that she won't be able to relocate her life to her future home of Washington DC until her congressional salary kicks in, as only then will she be able to pay rent in the capital.

She said:

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.

She also tweeted to say that this was just another example of how the US electoral system isn't "designed (nor prepared) for working-class people to lead".

In a move that will surprise no one, Fox News were quick to pick up the story and handled it with all the grace, sensitivity and respect that you might expect them to show the Democratic socialist.

During a discussion on 'America's Newsroom', the panellists took aim at Ocasio-Cortez during a segment captioned with: "Self-proclaimed socialist says she can't afford DC rent."

Judy Miller, a journalist and commentator, snickered when host BIll Hemmer reminded the panel that Ocasio-Cortez was working at a restaurant before launching her campaign earlier in the year.

Ocasio-Cortez snapped back at Fox News, pointing out that their anchors still can't pronounce her name properly and taking the affluent panel to task for making a mockery of the US housing crisis.

She added:

There is no reason to be ashamed or embarrassed.

Mocking lower incomes is exactly how those who benefit from + promote wealth inequality the most keep everyday people silent about 1 of the worst threats to American society: that the rich are getting richer and the poor, poorer.

Less than a week following her election and Ocasio-Cortez is already making waves in a bid to disrupt the status quo. We can't wait to see how this turns out.

H/T: Huffington Post

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