Washington: Indian-American Congressman Ro Khanna has termed as "dumb" some of the budget proposals of US President Donald Trump and described the move to cut foreign aid as "inhumane".
Khanna, the first-time Democratic lawmaker elected to the House of Representatives from a Congressional District in California, hoped that the ruling Republican party, which has majority in both the House and the Senate, would work against passage of the budgetary proposals of Trump.
"I am really concerned about the community block grants, the USD three billion cut. It is shocking to me given someone campaigned on America first, building American cities. Here USD three billion that goes to building American cities, transportation, infrastructure, job training.
Khanna said he is concerned that the Republicans may not push back on foreign aid, given that the White House has proposed a massive budgetary cut in it.
"One of the things that annoyed me so much about Trump's speech was when he said, 'Well, it is America's national interest and America first, and all nations follow their self- interest'. I thought the whole idea about American exceptionalism is we are not all nations. Yeah, other nations just follow their national interest, we care about morality.
Alleging that the Republicans want to dismantle the New Deal Coalition, Khanna said this is the reason why they are "so much allowance" to Trump.
The dismantling of the New Deal in a way that even Ronald Reagan did and so they are saying, 'Okay, we are going to make the bargain with the devil'. He is giving us what we want. Let us ignore everything else," he said.
"We have got to be willing to take a risk on something bold. I think that is really where the frustration with the base is, is they see the same type of incrementalism. It is not just a messaging problem. It is not just okay with we use some different word, or George Lakoff, we have the wrong frame. It is a vision problem. It is a substance problem. They are hurting," Khanna said.
"The money has gone to CEOs. They feel that their wages have stagnated since 1979 to today for most middle-class families. The cost of healthcare has gone up. The cost education has gone up. Why would not you be upset? Why would not you be angry? They do not see the Democratic Party having done anything for them," he said.
Khanna said there is a stagnation of ideas in the Democratic party and there is need for a new vision.
"We need people who are going to put out the bold ideas for the Democrats, just like Paul Ryan and Newt Gingrich and others did for the Republicans. Barry Goldwater, Reagan, they moved the Republican Party. We need that same energy. I had said somewhat facetiously but I believe it, let us fire all the Democratic consultants. Put Robert Reich, Stephanie Kelton and Paul Krugman in a room and they do a hell of a better job coming up with their agenda," he said.
Responding to a question, Khanna said American democracy is extraordinary.
"I think that American democracy is still extraordinary. My own story: I am of Hindu faith, parents immigrated, was born in Philadelphia, I am 40 years old, I represent a district which is the most economically successful district in the world with Apple and Google," he said.
"There is an openness to the American political system that is extraordinary for all its flaws. That is what I hope people will understand that they do not feel disenfranchised.
If the Democratic Party is the vehicle, great. If that is not the vehicle, go protest, go run as a third-party, but be engaged," Khanna added.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Khanna, the first-time Democratic lawmaker elected to the House of Representatives from a Congressional District in California, hoped that the ruling Republican party, which has majority in both the House and the Senate, would work against passage of the budgetary proposals of Trump.
"I am really concerned about the community block grants, the USD three billion cut. It is shocking to me given someone campaigned on America first, building American cities. Here USD three billion that goes to building American cities, transportation, infrastructure, job training.
Khanna said he is concerned that the Republicans may not push back on foreign aid, given that the White House has proposed a massive budgetary cut in it.
Advertisement
"One of the things that annoyed me so much about Trump's speech was when he said, 'Well, it is America's national interest and America first, and all nations follow their self- interest'. I thought the whole idea about American exceptionalism is we are not all nations. Yeah, other nations just follow their national interest, we care about morality.
Advertisement
Alleging that the Republicans want to dismantle the New Deal Coalition, Khanna said this is the reason why they are "so much allowance" to Trump.
Advertisement
The dismantling of the New Deal in a way that even Ronald Reagan did and so they are saying, 'Okay, we are going to make the bargain with the devil'. He is giving us what we want. Let us ignore everything else," he said.
Advertisement
"We have got to be willing to take a risk on something bold. I think that is really where the frustration with the base is, is they see the same type of incrementalism. It is not just a messaging problem. It is not just okay with we use some different word, or George Lakoff, we have the wrong frame. It is a vision problem. It is a substance problem. They are hurting," Khanna said.
Advertisement
"The money has gone to CEOs. They feel that their wages have stagnated since 1979 to today for most middle-class families. The cost of healthcare has gone up. The cost education has gone up. Why would not you be upset? Why would not you be angry? They do not see the Democratic Party having done anything for them," he said.
Khanna said there is a stagnation of ideas in the Democratic party and there is need for a new vision.
"We need people who are going to put out the bold ideas for the Democrats, just like Paul Ryan and Newt Gingrich and others did for the Republicans. Barry Goldwater, Reagan, they moved the Republican Party. We need that same energy. I had said somewhat facetiously but I believe it, let us fire all the Democratic consultants. Put Robert Reich, Stephanie Kelton and Paul Krugman in a room and they do a hell of a better job coming up with their agenda," he said.
Responding to a question, Khanna said American democracy is extraordinary.
"I think that American democracy is still extraordinary. My own story: I am of Hindu faith, parents immigrated, was born in Philadelphia, I am 40 years old, I represent a district which is the most economically successful district in the world with Apple and Google," he said.
"There is an openness to the American political system that is extraordinary for all its flaws. That is what I hope people will understand that they do not feel disenfranchised.
If the Democratic Party is the vehicle, great. If that is not the vehicle, go protest, go run as a third-party, but be engaged," Khanna added.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Trump Hush Money Criminal Case Sentencing Delayed Indefinitely Bitcoin Touches Record High, Sets Sights on $100,000 What Is Impoundment? Trumps New Plan To Control Spending In Second Term "Thousand Times Better...": Delhi Lt Governor's Surprise For AAP's Atishi "World War 3 Has Begun": Ukraine Ex-Military Commander Amid Russia Conflict "Violation Of Sovereignty, Abuse Of Power": Kanwal Sibal On US Report On Adani Group Case Against AAP MLA For Allegedly Assaulting Fruit Seller In Delhi Trump Hush Money Criminal Case Sentencing Delayed Indefinitely Ukraine Returns Residents Of Russian Border Region In Rare Deal With Moscow Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.