Having your own merch store is a reasonable solution for a part-time job to earn some extra income. To do so, you need a manufacturer, graphic designer, product website, and a customer base. Apparently, socialism has turned REAL capitalistic for Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez because her line of merchandise has hit the market and everyone has different reactions.
AOC’s product line isn’t new, she’s been selling her merch for several months, but when you hear the pricing and investment, you’re going to be frustrated, and rightfully so.
On July 19, 2021, Reuters made a huge announcement and pushed to the left by promoting AOC’s merchandise. The partisan push is unprecedented and is uncalled. A news network is supposed to give viewers and readers reliable news, not be inundated with political entrepreneurship.
While most merchandise companies aim at a particular profit margin, AOC has blown her profits out the roof. AOC gets most of her products from Bayside. Bayside is a clothing manufacturer that sources all its materials from the U.S. and is one of the only companies AOC is looking pretty solid in that area. Only 5% of all the clothing made in the world is made in the USA. But to point out one specific sweatshirt labeled “The Unapologetic Street Series Team AOC Hoodie,” it’s priced at $88. A typical wholesale hoodie made in the USA costs anywhere from $20-$30, depending on the manufacturer. That’s extraordinary profit, and currently, the hoodie is sold out. That particular hoodie dedicates all the profits to the New York Immigration Coalition, an advocacy group for uniting immigrated families and assisting in giving immigrants legal representation.
Most of the other products are reasonably priced, but what’s unfair is the exploitation factor. According to Reuters, AOC’s team paid a political merchandising firm $1.4 million in the first six months of 2021, with nearly all of the products bearing her name and initials. A public office isn’t a place of business. Elected leaders are supposed to represent their constituents, not ride the coattail of fame and generate profits. $ 1.4 million isn’t a small amount of money.
AOC, a self-described socialist, is profiting from capitalism in the hypocritical clothing line. If AOC had her way and turned America into a socialist country, she probably wouldn’t be allowed to use this type of tactic, but she would be taxed at about 90% if she did.
