Controversy Surrounds Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Over Unpaid Student Loans Despite Significant Congressional Salary
Columnist Betsy McCaughey has spotlighted a contentious financial practice by Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a potential leading figure for the Democrats in the 2028 presidential race. In her critique titled “A Deadbeat Prez? AOC’s Loan Mess,” published on August 19, McCaughey scrutinizes Ocasio-Cortez’s apparent reluctance to repay her student loans, despite earning an annual salary of $173,000.
For a public figure with political aspirations, setting a leading example is typically paramount. However, in Ocasio-Cortez’s case, McCaughey suggests her approach is more about challenging norms. This titanic personality often seems to assume that she operates under different rules compared to the average citizen.
From a responsible citizen’s perspective, the emphasis should be on demonstrating fiscal integrity by repaying loans and motivating others to do likewise, rather than focusing on personal ventures such as her fertility treatment journey, which she often shares on platforms like TikTok.
– Ronald Frank
West Orange, NJ
Why doesn’t our government automatically garnish the salary of any federal employees who do not pay their federal student loans?
Fred Wilkowski
Valley Stream
McCaughey was right on the mark in her exposé of AOC. She won’t pay her loans back because she feels that “We the People” should pay the debt for her.
Sad to say, the problem goes beyond that. Loans were designed to help students pay college expenses. The exact opposite has happened and the thieves who run our colleges saw the program as a method by which they could charge exorbitant prices to young people who may never repay their debt.
Also, many of the courses these young people have pursued are of little value in the job market, thus compounding the problem.
Andrew MacDonald
Fanwood, NJ
While The Post reported that 2011 Boston University grad AOC still owes between $15,000 and $19,000 in student loans, unmentioned is the fact that our social media maven is actually a double deadbeat.
In 2012, AOC founded Brook Avenue Press. It proved a miserable failure; a decade later, the tax warrant for $1,600 issued against her defunct startup remained open and unpaid, including additional fines.
It seems AOC’s just another DSA “leader” who’s unwilling to pay her own way.
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Jim Soviero
E. Setauket
At least AOC is consistent with her principles by refusing to pay her federal student loans, since she advocates for free college and defends Medicare for All.
Perhaps there should be more talk about careers with the highest employability and pay, such as those in software and application development, cybersecurity or robotics — rather than focusing on forgiving debt.
Daniel Gómez
Madrid
The Issue: City Council members backing 12 extreme bills, including deleting the gang database.
Delete the gang database, free-range eggs for the privileged digestive systems of municipal workers and paid time off if your pet is sick. Among other ridiculous bills, these are the policies proposed by the Progressive Caucus of your esteemed City Council (“Council wacky wishes,” Aug. 22) .
I’m sorry, New York City, but you did it to yourselves. You elected a spoiled child, and he and his band of equally immature playmates are running wild with proposals they dreamed up in the sandbox.
Get out and vote for some grown-ups next time.
Michelle Graham
Island Park
Sick leave for pets: maybe. Free-range eggs: no. Comfortable benches for the homeless: no. Tree removal: already covered, Abolish NYPD gang database: absolutely not. $30 minimum wage: no. Delivery service weight limits: maybe. Gender-affirming items for jail inmates: no!
The City Council should try to solve and enforce existing laws before wasting time with frivolous and ridiculous nonsense.
Jean Cole
Juno Beach, Fla.
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