In the News
More than half a million students go to public school each day across Alameda and Santa Clara counties. These schools and educators are preparing children for a life of success and instilling in them a common language of democracy.
Public education and public service go hand in hand. At a time when we as a nation are facing a potential constitutional crisis in Washington and families feel threatened by the discriminatory policies of the Trump administration, public schools serve an important role in fostering a sense of citizenship and strengthening trust in our institutions.
House Democrats on Wednesday touted unprecedented majority support for a bill that would expand Medicare to the entire U.S. population, reflecting a growing liberal consensus behind single-payer health insurance.
Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.), who has been introducing single-payer legislation since 2003, said at a press conference that Democrats must counter the Republican bill to repeal the Affordable Care Act with support for "Medicare for all."
As a newly elected progressive Democrat, Representative Ro Khanna (CA) couldn't be more out of step with the Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives. He supports free public college, for example, along with a single payer health care system and a path to citizenship for undocumented residents.
On this episode of Recode Decode, hosted by Kara Swisher, the Congressman Ro Khanna came by the studio to speak with Kara and Recode's Senior Editor for Policy and Politics, Tony Romm. The conversation ranged from Silicon Valley's responsibility toward American citizens to job creation and job loss due to technological advances.
You can read some of the highlights from the interview at that link, or listen to it in the audio player below. We've also provided a lightly edited complete transcript of their conversation.
U.S. freshman congressman Ro Khanna, a Democrat representing the 17th District of California, which includes Santa Clara, held a Town Hall meeting on May 7 at the Performing Arts Center of Santa Clara High School. Khanna was welcomed by Santa Clara City Councilmember Kathy Watanabe.
"We are all so proud to have you as our Congressman representing us in Washington during these uncertain times as our country moves forward," said Watanabe. "You have become a loud progressive voice on the Hill during your brief time representing District 17."
Rep. Ro Khanna, congressman from California, talks with David Axelrod about the need for the Democratic Party to develop an effective economic message that resonates in every part of the country, why he supported Bernie Sanders in last year's Democratic primary, and why he believes President Trump's actions so far have benefitted Wall Street at the expense of Main Street.
Congressman Ro Khanna has a message for the winners of Silicon Valley: You have a civic duty to help the entire country.
Talking with Recode's Kara Swisher and Tony Romm on the latest episode of Recode Decode, Rep. Khanna said techies should "answer the call to service" and help figure out how technology can uplift all Americans, not just the ones in the Bay Area. His constituency includes the headquarters of some of the world's most influential tech companies, including Apple, Intel, Yahoo and eBay.
How can Democrats best reply to the Trump agenda?
Since the rise of the tea party, the Democratic response that seems to have resonated most with voters has been to promise more stuff to more people.
You want to slow the growth of Social Security benefits for the upper income? We'll increase Social Security. For everybody.
You want to abolish Obamacare? We will push Medicare for all.
Are people having trouble paying off their student loans? We will make college free — for everyone, regardless of income.
The Trump Administration may not believe that automation threatens today's American workforce, but try telling that to a travel agent or a truck driver or a factory worker or an accountant. One recent study found that for every one robot introduced to the workforce, six related human jobs disappear. But those six humans still need to get by.