Despite its $93 trillion pricetag and the its mandate to nationalize almost every facet of the U.S. economy, the Green New Deal is something that gives, not takes, claimed its chief proponent, Rep. Aleandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.).
The freshman congressman appeared Thursday night on “Late Night with Seth Meyers” and mocked critics who said her plan is overzealous.
Americans, she said, should appreciate that the plan means quality housing and health care for all.
“One of the things we’re even hearing the president say is that you would outlaw cows,” Meyers said. “Cows farting, that would be out. Children, hamburgers, ice cream. Any of that true at all?”
“No,” she replied. “In fact, I think it is interesting, it’s always good to see how these narratives are manipulated, because they’re trying to say that the Green New Deal is about what we have to give up, what we have to cut back on. When, in fact, the Green New Deal, itself, is a resolution to be more expansive.”
She said everyone under her environmental plan will “have more in life.”
“It is to be able to generate more and to make sure that we’re investing in working-class Americans so that we all can afford to have more in life,” she continued. “So an affordable apartment isn’t a dream but a norm and that health care is a right, not a privilege.”
AOC says her plan would further include tuition-free college and electric vehicles and 100 percent renewable energy.
“What it does is that it puts forward the large scope, the overall vision of what we’re trying to accomplish, and to say, ‘Listen, if we’re going to make progress, we need to declare our North Star, and our North Star is 100% renewable energy,” she told the late night host. “It’s Medicare-for-All. It’s tuition-free public colleges. It’s investing in technology and renewable resources and electric vehicles.”
“It’s really exciting,” Meyers told the lawmaker.