Socialism, Energy, and Ocasio-Cortez

            Random thoughts on socialism, energy, and Ocasio-Cortez:

            If Democrats want to defeat Donald Trump in the worst way in 2020, why are they letting themselves be bullied by the party’s most radical proponents of socialist ideology? “Fall in line, or else” seems to be the tactic employed by extremists like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to get her House colleagues to back ruinous policies like her “Green New Deal” and “Medicare for All.” Socialism may appeal to young voters who are ignorant of history, but it will never garner a majority. Extremism doesn’t win elections.

            The reason Venezuela’s socialist tyrant Nicolás Maduro is still clinging to power today is the support of a military backed by Cuban operatives. With more soldiers defecting every day, it is just a matter of time before Maduro’s protective wall is breached and the Cubans are thrown out. Other losers will be Russia, Iran, and especially China, all of which have backed Maduro. Americans believe in the Monroe Doctrine, and when Washington says that “All options on the table,” these adversaries have only to remember what happened in Panama, Granada, and the Cuban Missile Crisis to know that we will not allow them to gain a foothold in the Americas.

            I will never understand why the most efficient, affordable, and clean source of energy is hardly ever mentioned by starry-eyed proponents of green energy. What is it? Nuclear energy. All the arguments against it have been de-bunked, and the countries that have expanded its use are reaping the benefits: low costs, clean air, and expanding economies. One example should suffice. Sweden, an Ocasio-Cortez favorite, has doubled its energy output with nuclear energy, while dropping fossil-fuel use by 40% and reducing carbon emissions by 50%. That’s why its capitalist (YES, capitalist!) economy has been able to fund its expansive social programs so loved by Ocasio-Cortez.

            Our publicity-seeking congresswoman is still hissing and yowling like a drenched cat after seeing that Times Square billboard: AMAZON PULLOUT – 25,000 Lost NYC Jobs - $4 Billion in Lost Wages - $12 Billion in Lost Economic Activity for NY – THANKS FOR NOTHING, AOC! Would her constituents vote for her today?