# Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Cannot Afford to Move to Washington **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [November 9, 2018, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-cannot-afford-to-move-to-washington/824263 "2018-11-09T21:47:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 12
**Author:** ![Evil\_Economist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c89c15/32.png) [@Evil\_Economist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Economist)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2018, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-cannot-afford-to-move-to-washington/824263/221 "2018-11-14T14:06:17Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > _:shrugs:_ It turns out she has at least $30K to pay for an apartment, so this was just entitled whining from a socialist about how inconvenient being an adult is. If your advice is that she should literally spend her life’s savings on rent, then you probably shouldn’t ever give anyone advice again. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2018, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-cannot-afford-to-move-to-washington/824263/222 "2018-11-14T14:09:04Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > Yes, what I said is quite different from what you posted. My posts have to do with the topic of the thread; yours are a _non sequitur_. I talk about how Ocasio-Cortez is complaining about how hard it is to get an apartment,… Can you cite her complaining about how hard it is to get an apartment? Like literally post the exact words you think are complaining? ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2018, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-cannot-afford-to-move-to-washington/824263/223 "2018-11-14T14:13:04Z")
> [@WillFarnaby](#): > > Are we pretending that poor people are not considered more genuine in American society, or are we totally unaware of this cultural phenomenon? “More genuine?” Where do you get this shit? If you’re an American, you’re an American. One may be a disgraceful person because of various types of conduct – lack of ethics, being a racist, being a criminal, etc – but social class shouldn’t define better people versus worse people. > [@](#): > > “People who live in various suburbs”? Just spit it out! Yes, suburbanites. There are people who live in rich, white McLean who may claim to live in DC, but they don’t. There are African Americans who live in working class Hyattsville who may claim to live in DC, but they don’t. There are Latinos who live in Silver Spring who may claim that they live in DC, but they don’t. There are Jews who live in Bethesda who may claim they live in DC, but they don’t. There are gay people who live in Chevy Chase who may claim they live in DC, but they don’t. People who live in DC – no matter what their identity may be – live in DC. > [@](#): > > Do you see how ridiculous this is now? Oh, I’m well accustomed to your ridiculous arguments. > [@](#): > > If you like I will change “real” to “people not getting big money from taxpayers”. This is pretty much how DC is divided. You have your poor, and you have your parasites. You seem to be particularly motivated to call this gay Latina politician a “parasite.” U mad bro? ---
**Author:** ![WillFarnaby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/willfarnaby/32/514_2.png) [@WillFarnaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WillFarnaby)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2018, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-cannot-afford-to-move-to-washington/824263/224 "2018-11-14T14:19:12Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > But HOW do you know what neighborhoods she will and will not live in? That short paragraph I posted doesn’t indicate where she will or will not live. What is your source for knowing her preferences? The paragraph indicates she will not live anywhere in DC for these months, including easily affordable places. > [@Ravenman](#): > > “More genuine?” Where do you get this shit? > > If you’re an American, you’re an American. One may be a disgraceful person because of various types of conduct – lack of ethics, being a racist, being a criminal, etc – but social class shouldn’t define better people versus worse people. > > Yes, suburbanites. There are people who live in rich, white McLean who may claim to live in DC, but they don’t. There are African Americans who live in working class Hyattsville who may claim to live in DC, but they don’t. There are Latinos who live in Silver Spring who may claim that they live in DC, but they don’t. There are Jews who live in Bethesda who may claim they live in DC, but they don’t. There are gay people who live in Chevy Chase who may claim they live in DC, but they don’t. People who live in DC – no matter what their identity may be – live in DC. > > Oh, I’m well accustomed to your ridiculous arguments. > > You seem to be particularly motivated to call this gay Latina politician a “parasite.” U mad bro? No I’m chillin. I’m calling anyone who is a parasite a parasite. Sexual orientation and ethnicity do not effect whether one is a parasite. Just so happens that there are swarms of parasites of all ethnicities and sexual interests in DC. She will soon join the ranks. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2018, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-cannot-afford-to-move-to-washington/824263/225 "2018-11-14T14:21:20Z")
Since when is she gay? I hadn’t seen it mentioned before. I know that using the word “partner” is a clue but it’s not a dead giveaway anymore. ---
**Author:** ![WillFarnaby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/willfarnaby/32/514_2.png) [@WillFarnaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WillFarnaby)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2018, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-cannot-afford-to-move-to-washington/824263/226 "2018-11-14T14:22:58Z")
Re: Real people [https://www.google.com/amp/s/genius.com/amp/Common-real-people-lyrics](https://www.google.com/amp/s/genius.com/amp/Common-real-people-lyrics) ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2018, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-cannot-afford-to-move-to-washington/824263/227 "2018-11-14T14:25:04Z")
> [@WillFarnaby](#): > > The paragraph indicates she will not live anywhere in DC for these months, including easily affordable places… What words indicate that to you? Like the exact words that you lead you to that conclusion. ---
**Author:** ![WillFarnaby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/willfarnaby/32/514_2.png) [@WillFarnaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WillFarnaby)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2018, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-cannot-afford-to-move-to-washington/824263/228 "2018-11-14T14:25:34Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > Since when is she gay? I hadn’t seen it mentioned before. I know that using the word “partner” is a clue but it’s not a dead giveaway anymore. I guess people just add that on for an additional slander of her critics. Next she’ll be a veteran with a heart murmur and I’ll be a heartless victimizer of the disabled and courageous. ---
**Author:** ![WillFarnaby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/willfarnaby/32/514_2.png) [@WillFarnaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WillFarnaby)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2018, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-cannot-afford-to-move-to-washington/824263/229 "2018-11-14T14:26:45Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > What words indicate that to you? Like the exact words that you lead you to that conclusion. Where is the paragraph? ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2018, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-cannot-afford-to-move-to-washington/824263/230 "2018-11-14T14:36:27Z")
> [@WillFarnaby](#): > > Where is the paragraph? Ms. Ocasio-Cortez said the transition period 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.” She said she saved money before leaving her job at the restaurant, and planned accordingly with her partner. “We’re kind of just dealing with the logistics of it day by day, but I’ve really been just kind of squirreling away and then hoping that gets me to January.” ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Economist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c89c15/32.png) [@Evil\_Economist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Economist)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2018, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-cannot-afford-to-move-to-washington/824263/231 "2018-11-14T14:37:37Z")
> [@WillFarnaby](#): > > Where is the paragraph? This is the point in the conversation when you ask this? Not at the beginning, before you form an opinion? Good job. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2018, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-cannot-afford-to-move-to-washington/824263/232 "2018-11-14T14:40:56Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > Since when is she gay? I hadn’t seen it mentioned before. I know that using the word “partner” is a clue but it’s not a dead giveaway anymore. I could be mistaken - I am working from memory. Totally open to correction. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2018, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-cannot-afford-to-move-to-washington/824263/233 "2018-11-14T14:46:40Z")
> [@WillFarnaby](#): > > The paragraph indicates she will not live anywhere in DC for these months, including easily affordable places. Maybe she will rent a cheap place in January when she has an actual paycheck coming in. Ever thought of that? > [@](#): > > No I’m chillin. Strange, we’ve had a few threads recently that discussed members of Congress living in their taxpayer-provided offices. You didn’t seem very upset at those parasites, judging by your apparent lack of posts in those threads. Note that all those congressmen explicitly say that DC rents are too high as the reason why they sleep on a cot. Why so worked up about this one congresswoman who wants to wait six weeks to find an apartment that you keep coming back to this thread? ---
**Author:** ![WillFarnaby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/willfarnaby/32/514_2.png) [@WillFarnaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WillFarnaby)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2018, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-cannot-afford-to-move-to-washington/824263/234 "2018-11-14T15:00:03Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > Ms. Ocasio-Cortez said the transition period 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.” She said she saved money before leaving her job at the restaurant, and planned accordingly with her partner. “We’re kind of just dealing with the logistics of it day by day, but I’ve really been just kind of squirreling away and then hoping that gets me to January.” Thank you for providing this so I could answer your question. She states that she will not have a salary, indicating that cost is the constraint. As I have shown, she could get an apartment in distressed neighborhoods for 300-500 per month, therefore cost is not a legitimate constraint. She asks what I presumed to be a rhetorical question about how she will get an apartment under these (fictitious) constraints. Is this where I made my mistake. Was she asking the interviewer how to get an apartment? ---
**Author:** ![WillFarnaby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/willfarnaby/32/514_2.png) [@WillFarnaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WillFarnaby)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2018, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-cannot-afford-to-move-to-washington/824263/235 "2018-11-14T15:04:04Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > Maybe she will rent a cheap place in January when she has an actual paycheck coming in. Ever thought of that? > > Strange, we’ve had a few threads recently that discussed members of Congress living in their taxpayer-provided offices. You didn’t seem very upset at those parasites, judging by your apparent lack of posts in those threads. Note that all those congressmen explicitly say that DC rents are too high as the reason why they sleep on a cot. Why so worked up about this one congresswoman who wants to wait six weeks to find an apartment that you keep coming back to this thread? Because I believe her decision not to live in distressed neighborhoods is in conflict with the image she is cultivating. Already repeated this many times. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2018, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-cannot-afford-to-move-to-washington/824263/236 "2018-11-14T15:08:23Z")
> [@WillFarnaby](#): > > Because I believe her decision not to live in distressed neighborhoods is in conflict with the image she is cultivating. Already repeated this many times. Is she currently living in a distressed neighborhood? It’s a hell of a reach to say that politicians of the people should all live in Crack Town. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2018, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-cannot-afford-to-move-to-washington/824263/237 "2018-11-14T15:09:07Z")
> [@WillFarnaby](#): > > Thank you for providing this so I could answer your question. > > She states that she will not have a salary, indicating that cost is the constraint. As I have shown, she could get an apartment in distressed neighborhoods for 300-500 per month, therefore cost is not a legitimate constraint. > > She asks what I presumed to be a rhetorical question about how she will get an apartment under these (fictitious) constraints. Is this where I made my mistake. Was she asking the interviewer how to get an apartment? Seems pretty clear to me that she was saying “Some problems that I need to solve during those three months include finding an apartment” ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Economist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c89c15/32.png) [@Evil\_Economist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Economist)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2018, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-cannot-afford-to-move-to-washington/824263/238 "2018-11-14T15:09:31Z")
> [@WillFarnaby](#): > > Thank you for providing this so I could answer your question. Thank you for finally reading the short statement you’ve spent the last several days sharing your strong opinion about. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2018, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-cannot-afford-to-move-to-washington/824263/239 "2018-11-14T15:10:49Z")
> [@WillFarnaby](#): > > Thank you for providing this so I could answer your question. > > She states that she will not have a salary, indicating that cost is the constraint. As I have shown, she could get an apartment in distressed neighborhoods for 300-500 per month, therefore cost is not a legitimate constraint. > > She asks what I presumed to be a rhetorical question about how she will get an apartment under these (fictitious) constraints. Is this where I made my mistake. Was she asking the interviewer how to get an apartment? No where in that statement does she say that she will not take an apartment in a distressed neighborhood. It’s not just a matter of having the money for an apartment, one also has to fill out an application and clear a credit check It’s one little sentence in an article about her transition. None of the things you are criticizing her for are stated in that one sentence. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2018, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-cannot-afford-to-move-to-washington/824263/240 "2018-11-14T15:18:38Z")
> [@WillFarnaby](#): > > Because I believe her decision not to live in distressed neighborhoods is in conflict with the image she is cultivating. Already repeated this many times. Is the neighborhood she lives in today sufficiently distressed to meet your preferences? ETA: and where are you seeing this $500 apartment? Link, please. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-cannot-afford-to-move-to-washington/824263.md?page=11) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-cannot-afford-to-move-to-washington/824263.md?page=13)