The editorial board of The New York Post criticized Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., after her statement that New York City had become unaffordable for “working-class people.” While agreeing with her assessment, the board attributed the rising costs to the progressive policies advocated by Ocasio-Cortez and her allies.
Published on Tuesday, the editorial acknowledged Ocasio-Cortez’s observation that working-class residents were struggling to afford living in the city but shifted the blame to her for endorsing policies that contributed to the affordability crisis. During a recent town hall meeting, Ocasio-Cortez highlighted the challenges faced by the working class and proposed taxing the city’s wealthy individuals as a solution.
The editorial criticized Ocasio-Cortez’s sympathy for the working class, holding her and her political allies responsible for endorsing policies that exacerbated the crisis. It specifically pointed to the impact of immigration policies supported by Ocasio-Cortez, which led to increased costs related to admitting and supporting migrants.
As for housing policies, the editorial cited a survey showing that a third of New Yorkers were paying more than half their income for rent. It argued that left-wing calls for increased rent control further limited the availability of housing.
The board also criticized lawmakers for policies such as blocking tax breaks for developers and the Tenant Protection Act, which it claimed reduced the number of available housing units.
The editorial addressed Ocasio-Cortez’s climate change agenda, asserting that it had already raised power prices for New Yorkers. It also criticized progressive “criminal justice ‘reforms'” for contributing to theft by shoplifters, resulting in significant financial losses for retailers.
Regarding Ocasio-Cortez’s proposed solution of taxing the rich, the editorial argued that wealthy individuals were leaving the state and city due to progressive policies. It concluded by stating that if progressive ideology continued to dominate New York, the city would become increasingly unaffordable, leading to a higher rate of population exodus.
