By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez critiques the Republican party’s recent policy decisions, predicting negative consequences from cuts to Medicaid and federal jobs. She remains a staunch advocate for immigration reform, including a path to citizenship, even facing threats of investigation for informing constituents of their rights. Ocasio-Cortez expresses widespread public frustration with government, asserting that it primarily benefits the wealthy while failing ordinary citizens, though she opposes drastic cuts to government programs. Instead, she proposes targeted reforms, such as addressing perceived issues within Medicare Advantage.
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Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s recent NPR interview, where she declared that “everything feels increasingly like a scam,” resonated deeply with many. The sentiment captures a widespread feeling of disillusionment and distrust in numerous aspects of modern life.
This pervasive sense of being swindled isn’t limited to grand schemes; it permeates everyday transactions. From inflated grocery prices to unexpected fees and surcharges, the constant barrage of seemingly unavoidable costs contributes to this feeling. Even digital interactions, often presented as convenient and efficient, are frequently perceived as vehicles for hidden charges and exploitative practices. The sheer volume of scams, from phone calls to text messages to even the purchase of a car, further fuels this sense of unease.
The feeling extends beyond individual transactions to encompass larger systems. The healthcare system, with its complexities and often-denied claims, is cited as a prime example of a system structured to maximize profit at the expense of patient well-being. Similarly, the student loan crisis, viewed by some as a cynical tactic to lure skilled workers into lower-paying public service jobs, further reinforces this perception of widespread deceit. Even government programs, intended to serve the public, are viewed with suspicion, with some programs like Medicare Advantage drawing criticism for prioritizing profit over patient care.
The roots of this pervasive “scam” mentality seem to lie in a fundamental shift in societal values. A transition from a focus on building and creating towards a relentless pursuit of quick, often unethically acquired, wealth has profoundly affected the landscape. This isn’t just an issue with individuals; corporations, with their seemingly limitless resources and lack of meaningful consequences for wrongdoing, exacerbate the problem. Fines levied against corporations are often viewed as little more than the cost of doing business, failing to act as a sufficient deterrent. While cryptocurrency is mentioned as a possible contributing factor, the underlying causes seem more deeply entrenched in systemic issues.
The current economic model, characterized by a transition from a manufacturing-based economy to a service and rent-seeking economy, also plays a significant role. The concentration of wealth and power in the hands of a few, coupled with a decline in opportunities for upward mobility, fuels resentment and distrust. The rapid growth of large technology companies, while contributing to economic growth, has also disproportionately benefited a small elite, widening the gap between the rich and the poor. This uneven distribution of wealth and opportunities further underscores the perception that the system is rigged against the average person.
Adding to this sense of being cheated is the perception that many politicians and political institutions are more concerned with serving the interests of the wealthy and powerful than addressing the needs of ordinary citizens. This fuels further distrust and cynicism. Promises made during election campaigns often seem hollow, failing to translate into tangible improvements for the people they are meant to serve, reinforcing the feeling that the entire system is a scam. This pervasive sentiment isn’t just a political issue; it touches nearly every aspect of daily life. From everyday transactions to national policy, the widespread distrust speaks to a deeper sense of being betrayed by the systems designed to serve and protect.
Even the process of securing basic necessities, like housing, is often viewed through the lens of distrust, with listings on platforms like Facebook and Craigslist perceived as potential scams. This pervasive sense of mistrust extends to the government itself, with the legitimacy of voting systems questioned due to a lack of transparency and the influence of money in politics.
The feeling that everything is a scam is not merely a cynical outlook; it reflects a deep-seated anxiety over economic insecurity and a lack of faith in institutions. It’s a cry for change, a demand for accountability and transparency, and a rejection of a system that many perceive as rigged against them. The conversation underscores a fundamental disconnect between the promises made by various systems and the lived experiences of many, resulting in a widespread feeling of being cheated. This widespread feeling of being perpetually swindled demands further examination of our economic and political systems and a broader discussion about building a more equitable and trustworthy future.