Ocasio-Cortez announced preorders for the black sweatshirt emblazoned with 'TAX THE RICH' in all caps on Wednesday night, adding that the items are 'made in the US with dignified, union jobs paying. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is really excited about her new merch. 'Preorders are open now:)' the congresswoman tweeted to her 12.7 million followers Wednesday morning, unveiling her new 'Tax.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the Democratic Party's rising socialist star, describes herself as 'a girl from the Bronx' to project a working-class image. However, this claim is only half true – to borrow a phrase from the left-wing website PolitiFact.
'Well, you know, the president is from Queens, and with all due respect — half of my district is from Queens — I don't think he knows how to deal with a girl from the Bronx,' Ocasio-Cortez said this week on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
She similarly told the Washington Post: 'I wasn't born to a wealthy or powerful family — mother from Puerto Rico, dad from the South Bronx. I was born in a place where your Zip code determines your destiny.'
The congressional candidate, who pulled off an upset win against high-ranking establishment Rep. Joe Crowley (D-NY), was indeed born in New York City's Bronx borough. She currently lives there, too.
So what's the issue? Ocasio-Cortez omits that for most of her formative years, she was actually raised in one of the United States' wealthiest counties.
Around the age of five, Alexandria's architect father Sergio Ocasio moved the family from the 'planned community' of Parkchester in the Bronx to a home in Yorktown Heights, a wealthy suburb in Westchester County. The New York Timesdescribes her childhood home as 'a modest two-bedroom house on a quiet street.' In a 1999 profile of the area, when Ocasio-Cortez would have been ten years old, the Times lauded Yorktown Heights' 'diversity of housing in a scenic setting' – complete with two golf courses.
The paper quoted Linda Cooper, the town supervisor, describing Yorktown as 'a folksy area where people can come, kick off their shoes, wander around, sit in a cafe, listen to a concert in the park, or go to the theater.'
In a fun coincidence, Yorktown, which contains Yorktown Heights, is also home to a 436-acre state park named after – yes, one Donald J. Trump.
After high school, Ocasio-Cortez studied international relations and economics at Boston University and worked for Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA). Only after college did Ocasio-Cortez return to the Parkchester complex, where she launched Brook Avenue Press, a publishing group aimed at improving the public image of the Bronx.
Westchester County – which the Washington Post, in a glowing profile on Ocasio-Cortez, describes as only 'middle class' – ranks #8 in the nation for the counties with the 'highest average incomes among the wealthiest one percent of residents.' According to the Economic Policy Institute, the county's average annual income of the top one percent is a staggering $4,326,049.
Yorktown Heights, specifically, offers a sharp contrast from Bronx living. According to USA.com, the town's population is 81 percent white, and median household income is $96,413 – nearly double the average for both New York state and the nation, according to data from 2010-2014.
The 28-year-old's far-left platform includes abolishing ICE, universal guaranteed employment, and Medicare for all. In an interview with CNN, Ocasio-Cortez said she supports impeaching President Trump, despite warnings from Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) to avoid the issue.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) has unveiled new merchandise online. One item, a crewneck sweatshirt entitled 'Tax the Rich,' instantly went viral for its apparently high price tag. Originally retailed at $65, it has since been marked down to $58 for preorders.
Immediately, conservatives jumped on the opportunity to criticize the congresswoman who has often decried the downfalls of capitalism.
In a fun coincidence, Yorktown, which contains Yorktown Heights, is also home to a 436-acre state park named after – yes, one Donald J. Trump.
After high school, Ocasio-Cortez studied international relations and economics at Boston University and worked for Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA). Only after college did Ocasio-Cortez return to the Parkchester complex, where she launched Brook Avenue Press, a publishing group aimed at improving the public image of the Bronx.
Westchester County – which the Washington Post, in a glowing profile on Ocasio-Cortez, describes as only 'middle class' – ranks #8 in the nation for the counties with the 'highest average incomes among the wealthiest one percent of residents.' According to the Economic Policy Institute, the county's average annual income of the top one percent is a staggering $4,326,049.
Yorktown Heights, specifically, offers a sharp contrast from Bronx living. According to USA.com, the town's population is 81 percent white, and median household income is $96,413 – nearly double the average for both New York state and the nation, according to data from 2010-2014.
The 28-year-old's far-left platform includes abolishing ICE, universal guaranteed employment, and Medicare for all. In an interview with CNN, Ocasio-Cortez said she supports impeaching President Trump, despite warnings from Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) to avoid the issue.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) has unveiled new merchandise online. One item, a crewneck sweatshirt entitled 'Tax the Rich,' instantly went viral for its apparently high price tag. Originally retailed at $65, it has since been marked down to $58 for preorders.
Immediately, conservatives jumped on the opportunity to criticize the congresswoman who has often decried the downfalls of capitalism.
Related: Gay man's heartwarming story about his Republican grandma made AOC proud
Newsweek claimed that Ocasio-Cortez was getting 'ridiculed mercilessly.' Right-wing media organization PragerU claimed it was a 'rip-off' that was 'Marxism 101.'Fox News contributor Lisa Marie Boothe sniped, 'what percentage of AOC fans do we think are extremely wealthy?' Sean Hannity's website wrote that they 'can't make this up.'TheBlaze.com claimed she was 'getting destroyed.'
Daily Wire contributor Harry Khachatrian tweeted that it was 'precisely what you'd expect well-heeled liberal denizens of New York's Upper East Side to wear,' such as 'Leonard Bernstein and his glitterati' would while 'hanging out with Black Panthers in his penthouse,' in reference to the late composer of the operetta song 'Glitter and Be Gay' and his association with the political group. Casino night zone music.
As always, made in the US with dignified, union jobs paying living wages ✨
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) December 2, 2020
What many didn't mention in their criticism is how the sweatshirt was crafted. The page listing the now-sold out product notes that it is a 'Made in USA, Union printed, 100% cotton, Gender neutral fit.'
'100% of our products are proudly made in the USA and union printed,' the footer of each page on the website notes.
This is in contrast to many clothing products that are manufactured overseas, by workers in unfavorable or harmful conditions, where labor is generally cheaper compared to the United States.
President Donald Trump, for example, has his merchandise products made in China — despite dedicating his political agenda to 'Put America First.' In fact, Chinese factories make more producing Trump-endorsed merchandise, such as his trademark 'Make America Great Again' hats, than they do products within their own country. CNBC estimates Trump has made '$1.5 million in income over the past three years from an online retail store' that outsources production of merchandise beyond the United States, if their production location is even known.
Ocasio-Cortez, among others, made mention of that in their response to the outrage.
People are complaining about this tax the rich sweatshirt costing so much but not only is it made in the U.S by well paid employees, it is also a campaign contribution. I see the irony and it's funny to laugh at but the full story also needs to be known pic.twitter.com/jKSmLVXUMo
— Ysira'el (@Yizreal1) December 3, 2020
Everyone: @AOC is selling a 'tax the rich' sweatshirt for $58! That's way too expensive.
Me, a former mass market apparel designer: Made in America. Union printed. Sounds about right. That's what it costs to pay everyone a decent wage along the way. #TaxTheRichpic.twitter.com/afPZ6quQmZ
— Stephen Punwasi (@StephenPunwasi) December 3, 2020
Republicans are freaking out bc we don't use slave-wage labor for merch that funds grassroots organizing.
But what's the difference between Trump's merch and ours?
Ours is made in the US. 🇺🇸
(& for GOP who joke that we shld give 👕 for free, we actually do – just volunteer 😉) https://t.co/35DnbFYQyC
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) December 3, 2020
Proceeds from purchases of merchandise from Ocasio-Cortez's website go toward funding her congressional campaign fund.
That's why, prior to purchase, the website asks users to follow the rules for political contributions. Buyers must be a 'U.S. citizen or lawfully admitted permanent resident,' purchasing with their own funds and not those belonging to someone else or a business, at least 18 years old, and not a federal contractor. The shop only ships within the United States and its territories.
'Republicans are freaking out [because] we don't use slave-wage labor for merch that funds grassroots organizing,' Ocasio-Cortez tweeted, 'But what's the difference between Trump's merch and ours? Ours is made in the US.'
She also added that the campaign gives shirts and other merchandise away for volunteers, so it doesn't conflict with her views.
Alexandria Ocasio-cortez Husband
'Wait until they zoom in and see ‘gender-neutral fit,' Chasten Buttigieg replied in response. 'RIP your mentions.'
Wait until they zoom in and see 'Gender neutral fit' phew! RIP your mentions.
— Chasten Buttigieg (@Chasten) December 3, 2020
Manufacturers of actual gender-neutral clothing (as opposed to ‘unisex') have generally been hard to obtain, as many manufacturers still craft their products based on the gender binary.
A tweet in reply also posted a 'Keep America Great' hoodie from Donald Trump's campaign shop priced at $55, which is a similar price to Ocasio-Cortez's sweatshirt – while not assuring viewers to be a gender-neutral fit, or manufactured by union-organized staff, nor does it depict what material the hoodie is made from.
Other products that are now available on Ocasio-Cortez's website are 'AOC Plus Me', 'Drink Water & Don't Be Racist', and gender-neutral-fitting 'Pride' tees. All have similar guarantees that they are produced in the U.S. and made by union workers.
🤯 pic.twitter.com/pmoTRtlI7o
— ✨Star ✨🦉 (@Saccharinestar) December 3, 2020
It's true. I worked an AOC event in LA, met her, worked hard and got the most comfy shirt for free 💛 https://t.co/pCIQojPo7y
Casina summary meaning. — Kathy Sue Holtorf (@KathySue17) December 3, 2020
Imagine if workers made enough money that could actually allow them to afford to buy products made in America that support other Americans?
— Nathanias (@nathanias) December 3, 2020
Alexandria Ocasio Cortez Rich
Hello, it's me. I can afford a $58 hoodie and I think we should tax the rich.
— Hank Green (@hankgreen) December 3, 2020
Oh, and by the way: Tax the Rich.
Ocasio Cortez Rich Family
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) December 3, 2020
