by Julio Gonzalez, M.D., J.D.

At an event in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr., on Monday, Social Democrat Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez continued to espouse her contemptible views on economics and social order when she was asked if a world that allowed for the existence of billionaires was moral.

“No, it’s not,” said the 29-year-old freshman Congresswoman. She then explained that the billionaires themselves were not the ones who were immoral. “I don’t think that necessarily means all billionaires are immoral. It’s not to say someone like Bill Gates or Warren Buffett are immoral people.” She continued, “I’m not saying that, but I do think a system that allows billionaires to exist when there are parts of Alabama where people are still getting ringworm because they don’t have access to public health is wrong.”

So, let’s get this straight, in the strange and ominous world of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the one who seeks billions is okay, but the fact that he or she is allowed to amass billions is not. Therefore, in Ocasio-Cortez’s world, the billionaires are to be eliminated. She doesn’t say how, whether it’s by termination or taxation, but the end result is they are to be regulated out of existence.

The irony is that regardless of which method is chosen to correct the error, both the outcome and solution are even more immoral than the problem Ocasio-Cortez has arbitrarily and capriciously chosen to create. If the former is selected, then the state will be in the business of ending the lives of individuals who have engaged in the sin of amassing more than a randomly defined amount of money. If the latter, which is obviously more likely, then it is their property we are going to steal.

If those comments weren’t sufficient, Ocasio-Cortez then went on to suggest that even those companies she does not like ought to be placed under the crosshairs of government: “I think it’s wrong that corporations like Wal-Mart and Amazon can get paid.” So now, companies engaged in the good faith enterprise in the free market should not get paid for the incredible work they do and for the benefits they bring to society.

The fact is that all of the interventions which Ocasio-Cortez proposes have been previously tried, and we know exactly what the systems for which she espouses look like. History will tell the oppressiveness of collectivist states and their failures. Estimates are that more than 115 million people have been slaughtered in the name of socialism, communism, or fascism; never mind the countless other atrocities that have been realized.

But amidst the nonsense, there is one little phrase the Representative threw that gives us a clue as to the direction the American left is trying to take their tyrannical agenda. “I think that it’s wrong,” she said, “that a vast majority of the country does not make a living-great wage.”

Take note. For the American left, it is no longer sufficient to argue, in addition to the eradication of billionaires and nationalization of Wal-Mart and Amazon, for the implementation of a living wage. The concept is now for the implementation of a “living-great wage.” Whatever that means, it’s bound to end in dystopic future.

Dr. Julio Gonzalez is an orthopaedic surgeon and lawyer living in Venice, Florida. He is the author of The Federalist Pages and cohost of Right Talk America With Julio and Rod. Dr. Gonzalez is presently serving in the Florida House of Representatives. He can be reached through www.thefederalistpages.com to arrange a lecture or book signing.

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