Doomscroll with Joshua Citarella Doomscroll 39: Ro Khanna
12 snips
Jan 19, 2026 
Ro Khanna, a U.S. Representative from California's 17th District, dives into the impact of technology on economic inequality and the need for a tech social contract. He critiques how the Democratic Party has lost touch with working Americans due to globalization and military spending. Khanna discusses the importance of accountability for elites, regional venture capital, and a fair wage. He advocates for a new economic vision that balances innovation with community investment, proposing reforms like antitrust enforcement and an updated H-1B system.
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Demand A Tech Social Contract
- Embrace a "tech social contract" where wealth creation must fund broad public goods like healthcare and childcare.
- Ask prosperous companies to contribute more so innovation benefits every American, not only elites.
Family Influence From Gandhi's Movement
- Khanna recalls his grandfather jailed for four years in Gandhi's independence movement and calling him to duty and service.
- That family history shaped Khanna's emphasis on moral conviction and public duty in politics.
Digital Public Sphere Has Broken
- Khanna argues social media failed Habermas's public sphere test: it neither creates equal, constructive deliberation nor influences policy.
- This broken link produces anger and helplessness, driving performative posting instead of policy change.
