OPINION:
Geraldo Rivera, in a heated debate on Fox News with host Sean Hannity and guest Dan Bongino, defended Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez by saying she was a too-easy target of the ideological right and that conservatives should just leave her alone because, by gosh, “she has heart” and socialism “is so yesterday” and mean old Americans were killing the dreams of all these youthful idealists.
Holy cow.
Did Rivera seriously just defend socialism in America?
He certainly defended Ocasio-Cortez.
“I feel pride in her,” Rivera said, Mediaite reported. “She’s me at the age of 26. She may have the most far-fetched ideas that are totally implausible or impractical, but she has heart.”
Great. Heart, but no brain.
Passion, but no historical context to put it to good use.
Power, but no understanding of American exceptionalism.
And therein lies the problem: Ocasio-Cortez, as a private citizen, can afford to speak whatever harebrained, ridiculous, fantastical, unworkable political idea she wants. But as a duly elected member of Congress charged first with upholding the Constitution and second, the rights and will of her constituents?
She has a responsibility to speak and bring forth ideas that are constitutional and American.
“Socialism is over,” Rivera said, Mediaite reported. “Socialism is so yesterday. But let the kids enjoy. Let them revel in the possibility that everything can be wonderful.”
Well, obviously, socialism isn’t over; it’s here and spreading its cancerous roots in the U.S. Congress. And meanwhile, Ocasio-Cortez is not a kid.
She’s a tax-paid member of Congress — and that makes her an employee of the citizens. A public servant, actually, 100 percent accountable to the people.
She’s charged with the task of upholding the laws and ideals of America — not of failed countries and ravaged nations.
Bongino asked: “Would you say the same thing about fascism? What if Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was promoting fascism? Would you say she has a heart?”
And Rivera replied, “Of course not. But she’s not. … I am not a socialist. I am a capitalist. I am a Republican. But I understand the generosity of the concept of socialism.”
Generosity. Odd word to use there.
Venezuela, once the wealthiest nation in South America, became an economic disaster after it turned the corner toward socialism-slash-marxism — which, by the way, is where socialism eventually leads. And where Marxism and communism and dictatorial-type governments tread, the gift of mayhem and murder just keeps on giving. The “generosity” of the government really starts to manifest.
For example: More than 100 million were generously murdered by communists in the 20th century alone.
“Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez makes a very convenient target,” Rivera said. “What, do you want her to be Gandhi? You want her to go begging with a wooden bowl?”
No. How about she just be Not A Socialist?
Socialism simply has no place in the American experience, or in America’s government. Dressing it as “generosity” is a historical deception. And those who try — those who try to pretend socialism is anything but a path toward government atrocity — are guilty of fueling the fantasy and selling a lie.
• Cheryl Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com or on Twitter, @ckchumley.
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