Who is Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez - the Previous Bartender Who’s Now a Congresswoman?

America has endured significant changes in the past few years - both positive and negative. Many people are upset while others rejoice over particular issues such as immigration, gun control, and women’s rights. The country underwent drastic transformations when businessman Donald Trump was elected as the President of the United States. People became more vocal about their opinions regarding certain issues, and some even began calling out those of different races and religions. Our nation changed a lot, so it can be surprising to some when a young Puerto Rican bartender from the Bronx ended up becoming a congresswoman.

This previous young bartender is Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and she’s set off to make positive changes in today’s American society. She graduated from Boston University, majoring in economics and international relations. After her father’s death, she worked multiple minimum wage jobs to support her family, but always had an interest in improving the world. The 28-year-old is the youngest female to have ever been elected to the United States Congress and has been very active in expressing her thoughts - including the need for gun-control, tuition-free public colleges, and providing health care for all citizens. As the daughter of Puerto Rican parents, she has expressed having strong liberal views, and helped organize for Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaign.

Her election to represent New York’s 14th congressional district was a controversial one. It was highly unexpected when she beat the 10-term congressman, Joe Crowley, in the Democratic primary and beat her Republican opponent, Anthony Pappas, in the midterm elections. Many people predicted Joe Crowley would soon take the position of the Minority Leader, currently held by Nancy Pelosi, until he lost the Democratic primary. Her election was also controversial primarily because of her views on abolishing ICE - the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement - a federal agency responsible for carrying out deportations and enforcing multiple immigration laws. ICE is a $6 billion organization that employs more than 20,000 people. This resulted in much controversy, but Ocasio-Cortez expressed that her intentions are to abolish the system to solve the deportation problem. She intends to do her best to keep families together, avoid deportation without thorough background checks, and provide everyone the path to citizenship and the opportunity to thrive in the United States. She has also expressed her support of the impeachment of President Donald Trump.

Many of us don’t take the time to educate ourselves on what is happening around us. It could possibly be that Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s ideas would be beneficial for our country. After the election of President Trump, it is difficult to deny that we have endured drastic changes, but these changes can be both positive and negative. Ocasio-Cortez was influenced to run for office as a response to President Trump’s plans for America. Currently, she serves as an important asset for the Democratic party and, in my opinion, on the right path to revolutionize the United States. It is important to express our views on issues, just like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, to better understand and improve our society. Especially in a time like this, even bartenders can make a significant impact.