In 2018, Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, proudly embracing the label of "Democratic Socialist."
In the years since, the Congresswoman—colloquially known as "AOC"—has become a favorite enemy of the far-right due to her progressive stances on immigration, climate policy, universal healthcare, and other issues.
A recent Reuters report spotlighted an increase in payments of $1.4 million from AOC's campaign to Financial Innovations—the firm in charge of the Congresswoman's online merchandise, signaling a heavy investment in shirts and other paraphernalia featuring her image in slogans in hopes of a return on fundraising.
Conservatives leapt to accuse AOC of hypocrisy, conflating commerce alone—which has existed in some form for thousands of years—to capitalism, a pattern of commerce in which virtually all goods and industries—even those needed for survival—are privatized for profit and granted broad exemptions from federal regulation. A defining aspect of capitalism is widening the gap between a corporation's costs—including the cost of labor paid to its workers—and the profits granted to its owners and shareholders.
Former President Donald Trump's first White House Press Secretary, Sean Spicer, missed these nuances, accusing AOC of "using capitalism to push socialism".
using capitalism to push socialism \n\nBranding the U.S. left: @AOC makes a push into political merchandisehttps://www.reuters.com/world/us/branding-us-left-aoc-makes-push-into-political-merchandise-2021-07-19/\u00a0\u2026— Sean Spicer (@Sean Spicer) 1626697184
Ocasio-Cortez, who graduated cum laude with an economics degree from Boston University—highlighted this difference to Spicer, while noting her store is "unionized, doesn't operate for profit," and is used to fund mutual aid programs like tutoring, organizing, and food pantries.
Not sure if you know this Sean, but transactions aren\u2019t capitalism.\n\nCapitalism is a system that prioritizes profit at any & all human/enviro cost.\n\nBut fwiw our shop is unionized, doesn\u2019t operate for profit,& funds projects like free tutoring, food programs,& local organizing.https://twitter.com/seanspicer/status/1417096820279414788\u00a0\u2026— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez) 1626739024
Spicer soon responded, falsely suggesting that any exchange of goods between private individuals or entities is exclusive to capitalism.
He then asked her to appear on his show, which is broadcast by the far-right disinformation outlet Newsmax.
Thanks 4 the reply:\n1. actually the definition of capitalism is based in private (not gov) ownership\n2. I think u have commented more about this than #Cuba \nPS - can you come on #spicerandco @newsmax at 6pm to discuss?\nPSS -pls tag me in the future so I can respond quicker\nThankshttps://twitter.com/AOC/status/1417272306154590214\u00a0\u2026— Sean Spicer (@Sean Spicer) 1626784046
Spicer's critics pushed back against his characterization.
This just in: buying/selling things = capitalism \nAs we all know, transactions don\u2019t exist in socialist countrieshttps://twitter.com/seanspicer/status/1417096820279414788\u00a0\u2026— Matthew Burkhart (@Matthew Burkhart) 1626790519
How do you consistently lie for a living? Or are you just too lazy to research your statements? @AOC keeps embarrassing you fascist talking heads with facts.https://twitter.com/seanspicer/status/1417096820279414788\u00a0\u2026— tripgreat (@tripgreat) 1626787519
capitalism is when sell thingshttps://twitter.com/seanspicer/status/1417096820279414788\u00a0\u2026— water raft (@water raft) 1626756522
if engaging in any sort of business transaction makes you a capitalist, does working for the government make you a socialist, comrade spicer?https://twitter.com/seanspicer/status/1417096820279414788\u00a0\u2026— Armand Domalewski (@Armand Domalewski) 1626742963
My favorite brand of moronic commentary is when people are unbelievably stupid enough to think that \u201ccapitalism\u201d is a synonym for \u201ccommerce\u201dhttps://twitter.com/seanspicer/status/1417096820279414788\u00a0\u2026— Chris Lipe (@Chris Lipe) 1626795288
When are people going to learn that selling something doesn't automatically make it capitalism? You seem concerned about AOC pushing socialism but have you ever said anything about the corporate socialism that pays companies in tax cuts and bailouts.https://twitter.com/seanspicer/status/1417096820279414788\u00a0\u2026— Jatavius (@Jatavius) 1626787240
Spicer's tweet inadvertently further promoted AOC's merchandise.
Thanks for the free ad. Will be sure to check out the merch, which I wouldn't have known about but for your tweet. \n\nYou're a great undercover Dem. Keep up the good work, Spicy— Slymm Pickens (@Slymm Pickens) 1626698527
Wow thanks for alerting me to AOCs business! Can\u2019t wait to buy her merchandise!— Donna Dicesare (@Donna Dicesare) 1626739687
I wasn\u2019t aware she had an online store.... Thanks! going to check it out now— Jacki (@Jacki) 1626698065
Awkward.
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