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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Concentrated Gains, Hollowed Communities
- Khanna frames 40 years of economic change as wealth concentrating in a capital class while working and middle classes were left behind.
- He links globalization and tech gains to geographic concentration and hollowed-out manufacturing towns.
Rebuild The Brand With Independence
- Khanna says Democrats lost credibility by being cautious, poll-driven, and disconnected from working-class grievances.
- He urges independence, spontaneity, and willingness to take political risks against powerful interests.
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.
