By Matt Underwood Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is not holding back. She’s not sugarcoating what she believes we’re all about to collectively experience. The upcoming term of a certain former president, and the policies he plans to implement, have her deeply concerned. She sees a pattern of authoritarianism, a desire for retribution, and a targeting of political opponents. AOC emphasizes the urgency of recognizing these warning signs and taking action through democratic participation.
She fears for the future, and she’s not afraid to say it. She’s calling out the dangers of a one-party rule with unlimited resources, a scenario she sees as a real possibility. The “optimists” who believe “they can’t do this,” “they can’t get away with that,” are simply not paying attention, she argues. The warnings are there, laid out in plain sight by those in power.
AOC isn’t alone in her concerns. Many share her anxieties, particularly those who have felt marginalized or ignored by the political establishment. They see a dismantling of the very institutions that protect them—from the FDA and EPA to overtime pay and the minimum wage. They fear a return to a time when corporations are given free rein to exploit workers and the environment, all in the name of profit.
The potential for harm is very real. AOC warns that the erosion of safety regulations will lead to widespread suffering. People will die, she says, and the food contamination outbreaks we’ve already seen will be just the beginning. The environment will suffer, and the quality of life for many Americans will plummet.
And yet, there’s also a glimmer of hope. AOC’s message is not one of despair, but of action. She urges people to resist, to organize, and to fight for a better future. She recognizes the potential for collective action to make a difference, to change the course of history.
Her voice resonates with those who feel unheard, those who have been left behind by the economic and political systems that are supposed to serve them. She’s calling on them to rise up, to make their voices heard, and to demand a fairer and more just society.
Whether she’s right or wrong about the future, one thing is certain: AOC is not going to stand by and watch as the country she loves is torn apart. She’s calling for change, and she’s not going to back down.