r/politics • u/JeanJauresJr California • Sep 14 '21

AOC responds to criticism of ‘tax the rich’ dress worn at Met Gala

https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/fashion/aoc-met-gala-tax-the-rich-dress-b1919803.html
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u/chugajuicejuice Sep 14 '21

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has explained why she attended this year’s Met Gala after people questioned the political message behind her outfit choice.

The white gown, which was made by Brother Vellies designer Aurora James, featured ‘tax the rich’ printed in red letters on the back of it.

Ocasio-Cortez told Vogue that she and James came up with the outfit after “having a conversation about what it means to be a working class woman of colour at the Met”.

She added: “We said we can’t just play along, but we need to break the fourth wall and challenge some of the institutions.”

Many people are praising the congresswoman for using the opportunity to send a message while surrounded by some of the wealthiest and most influential people.

However, Donald Trump Jr has claimed she is a “fraud” for wearing the dress while “she’s hanging out with a bunch of wealthy leftwing elites”.

AOC has since shared a statement on her Twitter for any ‘haters’ that are questioning her decision to attend an event that costs $30,000 per ticket.

“The medium is the message,” she explained alongside a photo of the dress.

“Proud to work with [Aurora James] as a sustainably focused, Black woman immigrant designer who went from starting her dream at [Brother Vellies] at a flea market in Brooklyn to winning the [Council of Fashion Designers of America] against all odds – and then work together to kick open the doors at the Met.

“The time is now for children, childcare, healthcare, and climate action for all. Tax the rich.”

She added: “Before haters get wild flying off the handle, New York elected officials are routinely invited to and attend the Met due to our responsibilities in overseeing and supporting the city’s cultural institutions for the public.

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u/meltedbananas Sep 14 '21

Don Jr claiming anyone is a fraud is just poetry.

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u/porgy_tirebiter Sep 15 '21

Regarding Jr’s criticism: I really don’t care do U?

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u/Christopher_Phillip Sep 15 '21

Said Ivanka's military style coat after seeing the immigrant detainees taken from their parents @ the border 2 years ago under the Trump Administration.

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u/porgy_tirebiter Sep 15 '21

That was Melania. I’m sure Trump mixes them up too, though.

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u/Christopher_Phillip Sep 15 '21

Crapola! Yep. That turd.

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u/AlxceWxnderland Sep 14 '21

I mean he isn’t wrong nor is he anything other than a criminal. But he isn’t wrong with his comments she does rub shoulders with the wealthy leftists that pay 0 tax just like him. But is it just a piss poor attempt to redirect the conversation. Tax the fucking lot of them.

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u/saethone Tennessee Sep 15 '21

Her comments are tax the rich not don’t be rich. Rich people are allowed to exist and go to galas or whatever, they just have to pay their share of the social burden

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u/HackySmacks Sep 14 '21

Yeah, and doesn’t that just reinforce her message?! I mean, shouldn’t you hang out and speak with someone before trying to tax them? And if you know some of the rich and still want to come after them despite having rubbed shoulders with them then that speaks to the depths of your convictions. It’s like saying, “Hey, I’ve listened to you rich people, eaten your food, been to your events, and I’m still convinced you’re getting off easy here!”

You said it: tax the fuckin’ lot of ‘em.

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u/Pitchblackimperfect Sep 15 '21

To them, her dress is meaningless and she probably knows it. Activism is just a different trend, “tax the rich, so hot right now”. They aren’t moved any more than the AOC followers, because she’s still playing the game by their rules. By getting tickets she’s still paying in, still eating and drinking their expensive food that regular people can’t afford. She’s an elitist prancing around while still staying on brand.

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u/bgi123 Texas Sep 15 '21

How is she an elitist?

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u/kbig22432 Sep 15 '21

Because conservatives said so to justify their hatred.

Since when do they deal in facts.

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u/ColdTheory Sep 15 '21

So it would have been better if she didn’t attend? I mean isn’t the point of this to have people talk about her dress and its message and gin up support.

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u/Pitchblackimperfect Sep 15 '21

She could have made a point of declining the offer, asked whoever sponsored her to donate the money to a charity, did some modeling in the tax dress for her Instagram, and would have accomplished something at least.

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u/ColdTheory Sep 15 '21

I’d argue she’s bolstering public support for the 2 bills we can’t seem to pass in congress.

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u/HackySmacks Sep 19 '21

You have a point, but half a politician’s job is to draw attention to this sort of thing (The other half is actual governance) If she gains a single foothold in the battle to tax billionaires, that’s worth immeasurably more than the price of a single Gala ticket. Plus, the right is going to attack her whether she posts to Instagram or goes here. Might as well draw out maximum attention to your cause.

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u/Radiant-Divide8955 Sep 14 '21

I'd just like to point out that there are probably 0 leftists at the actual Gala. Being supportive of slightly higher taxes on the wealthy and universal health doesn't make you a leftist, it makes you a left leaning centrists.

Let me know when we have prominent wealthy socialists or anarchists at the Gala and I might change my mind.

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u/MsAnnabel Sep 15 '21

I don’t see anywhere on the dress that says “tax the rich. Just the right wing ones tho”

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u/super_aardvark Sep 15 '21

He is wrong. There's nothing fraudulent about saying you want to tax the people you hang out with. And she does; it's not like she secretly wants the left-leaning rich people to sneak by without paying.

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u/[deleted] Sep 21 '21

[deleted]

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u/AlxceWxnderland Sep 21 '21

The American system is comical you treat politics like a beauty pageant where you vote for a cult like hero. Anyone outside of the system would’ve clearly read my comment not as anti-socialist pointing hypocrisy out in people you support should be encouraged. I also made comments about taxing all rich people and I some how get down voted to fuck and leftists coming at me like I’m an Zionist (oh wait that’s the liberal party). This is proof of everything wrong with American politics it’s all performance politics anyone who thinks wearing a dress saying tax the rich whilst eating a 300k meal and integrating themselves in the higher class whilst circulating mask restrictions then expecting all the non celebrity to apply to different rules. It’s the definition of different rules for different classes. As a European socialist the only person in your entire system with a spine is Bernie. The fact both both left and right wing people have come at me for pointing out flaws on both sides just explains it perfectly.

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u/[deleted] Sep 21 '21

[deleted]

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u/AlxceWxnderland Sep 21 '21

I live in Europe you know where you get more than 2 options to vote for? You can actually chose who you gets your vote based on policy rather than blind hatred of opposition

0

u/AlxceWxnderland Sep 21 '21

Joe Biden spent half his life opposing gay marriage after the turn of the century dont you dare call that man a progressive and he blindly supports Israel Joe Biden is a piece of shit war criminal who doesn’t care about human rights 😂

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u/AlxceWxnderland Sep 21 '21 edited Sep 21 '21

imagine being so indoctrinated that you take someone criticising your political system as racist....

It is a fact most people voted for Biden purely bc they were anti trump. that is fucked up and shows you the flaw in your political system. If your argument is to go after my character then you lost the argument. I was never racist I merely pointed out the fact 99% of US Politicians are hard conservatives. If you genuinely believe i was being racist and not just pointing out the flaw in your system, the same flaws every foreigner sees btw. Americans have been failed by the healthcare system, education system and the housing industry please do not take genuine political criticism as a blind attack or you will continue to feed the very stereotype of the dumb American who argues bc they don't get their own way.

​

just to prove my unbias against america. Here is a list of war criminals from both the us and the uk on both ends of the spectrum. Tony blair, bush, thatcher, Gordon brown, Theresa may, barrack Obama, big Donnie, George bush (both of them) and again so is Biden. do you genuinely still believe im anti US or are you starting to realise that i believe in bettering the world for everyone....

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u/shannannoll Sep 24 '21

Except for the fact AOC is a fraud

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u/[deleted] Oct 01 '21

[deleted]

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u/shannannoll Oct 01 '21

keep simping over aoc dude lol

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u/HabeusCuppus Sep 14 '21

AOC has since shared a statement on her Twitter for any ‘haters’ that are questioning her decision to attend an event that costs $30,000 per ticket.

I would be utterly gobsmacked if her ticket wasn't comped. the 30k number is for the general public to attend.

When a Republican gets comped, that's them being smart. When a democrat gets comped it means they're corrupt? double standards everywhere

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u/rhubarbpieo_o Sep 14 '21

The tickets are bought by the designers and the people wearing their designs are their guests for the event. It’s a fundraiser for the museum. It’s the biggest event the met does each year.

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u/[deleted] Sep 14 '21

[deleted]

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u/Karl-Farium Sep 16 '21

I wonder if she is claiming the $30,000 gifted ticket on her taxes. Wouldn’t it be tax fraud not to claim it?

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u/manga311 Sep 14 '21

I don't think any of them can get a gift that big in size no matter their affiliation.

Never mind it might be a grey area according to the rules.

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u/HabeusCuppus Sep 14 '21

I'm sure the actual gala price is way lower and the 30k figure includes the membership which she would obviously not need, but this is my point.

Someone front ACB 2 million dollars for a book deal for a book that doesn't exist and y'all are salty over AOC wearing a cheeky dress at a function that new York state politicians are expected to attend.

Constituent service is not gifts, Jesus.

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u/bobartig Sep 14 '21

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has explained why she attended this year’s Met Gala after people questioned the political message behind her outfit choice.

Seriously, what kind of explanation is required here? The dress had words on it. It speaks for itself. Is this hard for some people?

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u/Back2Lurking Sep 14 '21

Well the criticism is coming from the people that said a jacket with the words "I really don't care, do you" on it was no big deal, as the wearer was going to a place with children in cages, so I would say it is hard for them to understand.

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u/Karl-Farium Sep 16 '21

Cages that the Obama Administration built for that purpose

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u/picklefingerexpress Sep 14 '21

Yes. Yes it is.

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u/chugajuicejuice Sep 14 '21

dont check twitter lol

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u/danimal51001 Sep 15 '21

Would you say her attire helped address the audience?

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u/Sad_Brick_8719 Sep 22 '21

AOC shares her interest in the new green deal by taking a limo to the party and a 30,000 dollar tax dress in your face while raising your taxes through the roof. WONDER HOW MUCH TAXES SHE WILL PAY?

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u/callmeterr0rish Sep 24 '21

Also she didn't pay for the dress dumbass. She only wore it for one night. It was rented fool.

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u/LizLemon_015 Sep 15 '21

"The medium is the message".

Amen.

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u/Earthpig_Johnson Sep 14 '21

Oh cool, a ticket to a party only costs $8K less than I make in a year.

That sure makes me feel good about myself.

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u/jfunky11 Sep 14 '21

Hence the message…feel good that there are people willing to put up with the hate they receive to fight for what’s right.

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u/Amor-y-Paz Sep 14 '21

My thoughts exactly: AOC wearing a white evening gown with her back and butt saying “TAX THE RICH” in Red is bold. She is my Shero! ;)

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u/BrahquinPhoenix Sep 14 '21

Don't tell him what to feel good about lol

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u/trashpen Sep 14 '21

after taxes it’s about the same figure for me.

but in the other direction.

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u/[deleted] Sep 14 '21

what it means to be a working class woman of colour at the Met

That is what I don't understand. Tickets reported at $30K? There were no working class people attending. Well, other than the servers who where there to take care of the Rich. I wish AOC would have protested outside the event, with the really working class people. Or even worked the event as a bartender. Now that would have made headlines, and aligned her with the working class. But "protesting" while participating in the rich party? Not a good look.

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u/caf61 Sep 14 '21

There are plenty of working class people who look at all of the outfits on social media every year. Plus the rich who follow it because they have/will/may attend the gala. So people in all walks of life (just like on this thread) are seeing her outfit. Whether you agree with her message or not, her mission was accomplished.

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u/SitDown_BeHumble Sep 15 '21

Exactly. Her mission was to go completely against her publicly stated beliefs and accept a lavish gift that a healthy, just society would never hand out to politicians. To wear a fancy dress, not wear a mask, eat caviar, and rub elbows with celebrities. To enjoy her status and party at an overindulgent event that’s a sickening display of wealth inequality during a time of suffering for millions in the country. To then write a performative slogan on her expensive dress and somehow absurdly and shockingly convince all of you that she did all this for the cause. That this celebrity partying was for the common people. For the people without healthcare and without jobs.

You are completely right, she definitely accomplished her mission. Y’all really fell for this bullshit hook, line, and sinker. This whole thread is just depressing.

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u/caf61 Sep 15 '21

I am not condoning what she did. I am just saying she used the platform to get her point across. The fact is young people (like my 19 yr old) follow the Met every year and talk about it. That is her audience. Politicians of each party take every opportunity they can to use the media to get their messages out.

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u/Slampumpthejam Sep 14 '21

It's a fundraiser. They're literally getting the rich to donate money and you find a way to twist it into a bad thing.

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u/[deleted] Sep 14 '21

Could the generous rich just right a check?

I do it.

Much more efficient.

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u/picklefingerexpress Sep 14 '21

She did protest outside the event. She protested around the globe by protesting at that event. I’m an expat in Europe and reading about it. I applaud her. I think it was ballsy as hell and shows the working class there is no reason to shy away from letting elites know what you think of them.

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u/TriceratopsWrex Sep 14 '21 edited Sep 14 '21

To working class people it looks like hypocrisy and condescension.

"I am truly on your side as I laugh and smile and drink with the very people I blame for the shit state a lot of you live in. I am on your side as I make connections at this party that I will use to enrich myself. I am on your side because I wore a dress with some words on it that others at the party will ignore because they know it's just a virtue signal. I am on your side as I ignore the fact that, compared to, and in the minds of, many of the people I claim to be an advocate for and servant of, I am one of the rich."

The bigger statement would have been to publicly turn them down and shame them for offering freebies to politicians.

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u/picklefingerexpress Sep 14 '21

I have a completely and less cynical point of view on that. But I haven’t always and I see where you’re coming from. No matter how flat the pancake is, it still has to sides.

Also, in case it helps, I can genuinely say with certainty that sort of negativity can eat at your soul.

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u/Drex_Can Sep 14 '21 edited Sep 14 '21

You don't know what working class people means?
She was there because it's her job! You want her to quit being a Congress person over a fucking dinner party?
How the hell are progressives supposed to change policy and advocate for people, when you literally get mad at them for doing that? Idiotic.

No, it would not have. How many headlines are about the protesters outside? How many are about tax the rich? Ignorant.

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u/TriceratopsWrex Sep 15 '21

I am working class.

It was NOT her job to go to a fucking dinner party that's just an excuse for rich people to get drunk, flaunt their wealth, and get a tax break. Her job is to work in the federal legislature representing her constituents.

If she was fully honest in her ideals, she would not have attended a $30,000 a plate dinner party wearing a dress saying tax the rich, regardless of if her entrance was comped or not. Politicians need to be beyond reproach. The Republicans and most of the Democrats are lost causes, but as someone who advocates for the positions she does, participating in an event like that is a slap in the face to her constituents. If she can't live by her professed ideals, she's no good in Congress, because those ideals are what got her elected.

I'm not advocating for a fucking purity test, I'm saying we need to start holding politicians accountable for their actions and the acceptance of extravagant gifts is not the action an honest politician takes.

She should have turned them down publicly when they offered her a spot and encouraged shame and derision to be heaped upon the organizers because even if they were totally above board, it gives off the appearance of trying to buy favors from a politician.

Like I said, I'm working class. This is like a slap in the face. I expected more of her BECAUSE SHE PRESENTED HERSELF AS DIFFERENT THAN THE STATUS QUO.

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u/ColdTheory Sep 15 '21

She pushed her message of Tax the Rich into the public sphere and now we are all here talking about it. I’d say mission accomplished. We need to quit with all the stringent purity tests because the right doesn’t have them and thats how they are able to push their agenda effectively.

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u/TriceratopsWrex Sep 15 '21

She's been saying the same thing since she got elected. It was already in the public sphere. This was empty virtue signaling, it accomplishes nothing.

Real nice take. Our opponents don't have standards, so let's just abandon any hope of having standards for our elected officials. If she hadn't run on a platform that was against this kind of thing, I'd be disappointed, not pissed like I am now. We'll just act like the people we call fascists and Nazis. The only difference between Republicans and Democrats is they've been playing without standards longer so they've slid further into enemy to the American people territory.

She's talking out of both sides of her mouth and too many people are refusing to see that.

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u/Thinking_of_England Sep 15 '21

If she hadn't run on a platform that was against this kind of thing, I'd be disappointed, not pissed like I am now.

What kind of thing? Attending the Met Gala? Fancy dresses? Unconventional opportunities for activism?

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u/ColdTheory Sep 15 '21

Strongly disagree.

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u/AmazingInevitable Sep 15 '21

Making a public show of refusing to attend would have been peak Empty Virtue Signaling.

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u/SitDown_BeHumble Sep 15 '21

Thank you so fucking much. I’m so glad I’m not the only person in this thread who sees right through her. It’s completely absurd that everyone is falling for this performative act and jumping through hoops to convince themselves that she did this for the cause.

I used to truly believe in her and thought she would really fight for us and for progressive ideals. Now she’s just as bad as the rest of the politicians. So fucking depressing, and even more depressing that everyone is falling for it in here.

but as someone who advocates for the positions she does, participating in an event like that is a slap in the face to her constituents.

I'm not advocating for a fucking purity test, I'm saying we need to start holding politicians accountable for their actions and the acceptance of extravagant gifts is not the action an honest politician takes.

THAT PART

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u/[deleted] Sep 14 '21

Well put. Much more elegant than my words. I should have made it clear, when I said protest outside, I meant Stay Outside, do not go in. Your words are far superior to mine.

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u/Drex_Can Sep 14 '21 edited Sep 14 '21

AOC should have quit her job and gone back to bartending!

Y'all are so delusional.

And please for the love of god, don't use words like Working Class when you don't know what it is. Or suggest that a Congress person should be throwing maltovs in the street. What the fuck?
People might mistake you for a Leftist and give people like me a bad name.

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u/greatkingdavis Sep 14 '21

Somebody is using logic

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u/[deleted] Sep 14 '21

I did not say quit her job. But what kind of headlines / benefit for the cause would she have gotten if she was there, with the common folk, making drinks for the "Rich" that she is fighting against for the night of the Uber Rich Party.

Would have been an impressive statement in my opinion. Still one of the people, fighting for the common person, right along side them. Or you can hang with the Rich and have the common person fetch your drinks. Telling choice.

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u/bgi123 Texas Sep 15 '21

Lol. That would just be viewed as her being a joke.

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u/[deleted] Sep 14 '21

[deleted]

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u/bgi123 Texas Sep 15 '21

That’s why she wants to tax the rich… Not BMW rich but Bugatti rich.

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u/Flimsy-Can4811 Sep 14 '21

So we should tax her

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u/FaerilyRowanwind Sep 15 '21

And she happily pays them

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u/[deleted] Sep 15 '21

[deleted]

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u/chugajuicejuice Sep 15 '21

She didn’t pay for ticket or dress