Taking Heat, And Dishing Out Warmth

ALEXANDRIA OSTACIO-CORTEZ did not enter politics for the purpose of engaging in bitter partisan backbiting. Assuming she ins't naive, she knew that sharp criticism and hostile verbal engagements would be part of the package, but perhaps not to the degree of bitterness she has encountered in her brief time on Capitol Hill. She has shown strength in her ability to take the heat, but no hesitation to respond, no indication that she is shy in the face of withering fire. Her harshest critics, of whom there is a veritable caravan of conservatives constantly on the attack, are learning to expect a timely, measured, intelligent response to their hateful, often dishonest accusations. She is often accused of being no more than an air headed bar tender, an immature, ignorant little girl who entered politics on a lark, and isn't prepared to hang with the big boys. Far from it. Cortez has a degree in a rigorous, demanding field of study from a prestigious institution, which she obtained with high marks. She has been interest in current events and societal concerns for a long time, and has shown such perception and thoughtful insight in her interactions with those who know her best that she was strongly encouraged to run for Congress by many people, including those with knowledge of political reality and what it takes to succeed in the political arena. So far, so good. She has suitably impressed her congressional colleagues, with her attire, demeanor, and well reasoned responses to all circumstances and questions. Already she appears poised to climb the ladder of party hierarchy among the Democrats. Grudgingly, behind the scenes, her opponents respect her, even though they seem not to like her, you can tell. So lacking are they for real, tangible material which to use against her that many of them have taken to slinging gratuitous mud at her, as if thinking and hoping that some of it might stick. It hasn't. At one of Donald Trump's recent circus style mob rallies, Donald Junior, no more noble nor less vile than his mud slinging father, lead a chant of "OAC sucks", in which the throng of all white all angry mostly middle class drop outs eagerly participated, their angry facial expressions filling the cameras. Take a look at them. The hatred and anger and despair radiates from their twisted faces, and they must either not fully realize how emotionally ill they are, or not care, or enjoy it. Cortez is among those who has the audacity to insist that everyone has as a basic human right access to good health care, whether or not one can afford it. That, too the conservative capitalistic crowd, is blasphemy. She sees the great disparity in income and wealth in America, as do most progressives, as a very real threat to democracy and economic stability, a problem urgently in need of correction. Equality, gander, racial, and economic, she views as a goal worth pursuing actively, rather allowing to either happen or not happen based upon the vicissitudes of an unregulated society. Opinions such as these will arouse the ire of the right wing every time, and are the main reason why they sink so low into their anger and hatred that they scream obscenities at her in unison. they go low, she goes high. Cortez has let it be known that she fully intends to fight for health insurance for all, and that by "all", she means those opposed to people helping each other, people who yell the obscenities at her, the supporters of Donald Trump. Few things in life are more difficult than taking the high road while being unfairly, viciously attacked. Alexandria Cortez has a difficult road ahead. Chances are, though, that she will meet all forthcoming challenges head on, and prevail against her enemies, maybe even by doing what Abraham Lincoln suggested, by turning them into friends.