By Roberto Ruiz, Opinion Reporter

Recently, Amazon announced that it was going to build a second headquarters. People nationwide condemned this very proposal. Yet, our elected officials nationwide gave a different response. They showered Amazon with tax breaks, land, and various other gifts. Gifts that, mind you, went to Amazon and Jeff Bezos, a man who is wealthier than some small nations.

This left a bad taste in the mouths of many. This was especially true for us New Yorkers, because Bezos had his eyes set on Long Island City. We’re also giving them land once designated for public housing. We are giving up so much because we are prostrating at the altar of capital. We are worshipping wishy-washy economic benefits at the expense of our workers.

How do we solve this? This is the part that pains me so: I don’t know. Our politicians will find any way to spin this as good, and we’ll vote them in because they’re in the right party.

Our best solution is to keep voting, because, as bad as it is, the modern reality is also connected to Amazon.  You may agree with my fervor. Yet, you will turn around and buy presents on Amazon with that sweet, sweet Amazon Prime two-day shipping. Amazon has entrenched itself as something even above our institutions.

This is a sign of a sad and odd decay. It’s a miserable decrepitness, wherein we will sacrifice so much for a corporation to tread on us. This should anger you all, especially as citizens of this city and this borough we call home. In the same way Amazon ruined the culture of Seattle, the working class nationwide, and so much more, it will do to us.