Latest news with #RoKhanna
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Could this politician from California be the future of the Democratic Party?
In the ever-changing jumble of names, titles and organizations that plagues the capitol, I'll be honest that I couldn't have told you who or what a 'Ro Khanna' was before perhaps Feb. 5 of this year, when noted oligarch and overgrown schoolyard bully, Elon Musk, tweeted 'Don't be a (expletive)' at him. The heated exchange came after Khanna, the state representative from California's Silicon Valley, missed a vote in the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee to subpoena Musk over his ongoing, furtive changes to the federal government. (Oh, how clueless we were just three months ago!) Khanna had publicly said that, if he'd had enough notice, he would have voted yes, triggering Musk's tantrum. And while that was certainly an unconventional way to come on the radar, Khanna has since become a recurring character in early conversations, both overheard and participated in, about who the Democrats might run against the Republican Party in three years. (Please forgive us wonks for floating the topic so early; we are also annoyed with ourselves and wish we could stop.) At The Bee's invitation, Khanna recently sat down with me and California Opinion Editor Marcos Breton to discuss a wide range of topics. Nothing was off the record — a courtesy rarely given to journalists these days. My first impression of Khanna was to notice his undeniable charisma. It's something politicians either have or don't — and Khanna certainly has it — though I'm not sure yet if it's something that will translate from an in-person meeting to soundbites through a screen. He was relaxed and easy in conversation, serious when appropriate and clearly intelligent about a wide variety of topics. He spoke from memory, with no notes to aid him and no prompting from the one team member he brought to the meeting. He fielded questions from the board with ease, from housing and homelessness to the economy, Medicaid and even childcare costs. Could I see this man as president someday? Yes, I could. Would he admit he was in the early stages of a campaign? No, he would not. Khanna's greatest asset is perhaps his youth (he's 48), in a party where the average age of Democratic leadership in the House is a death-defying 72 years old. 'The Baby Boomers love to serve,' Khanna said. 'And I get it, but you know, there should have been a transition a few years ago….I think there is a new generation in Congress. My view is… you are going to see a new generation of leaders emerging in the party. It's sort of the last hurrah for the old guard.' So, too, would his vocal enthusiasm for taxing high-income earners be popular on the presidential campaign trail, should he pursue it. 'The argument is pretty simple: You can't be providing tax breaks for billionaires while gutting Medicaid,' Khanna said. '(Democrats) are the party that's going to uphold the Constitution (and the) rule of law, but also make sure that people don't lose their Medicaid or lose their Social Security, all for tax breaks for the billionaires. We need to have a more affirmative economic message of what we're going to do, but for right now, people are just angry at what they see as an assault on basic social protections.' 'People see the costs of child care, of health care, of college and they're struggling to get by. I don't think we addressed that well enough, empathetically enough, with a vision of how to solve it.' Khanna's ready and concise answers made for a compelling conversation, and reminded me of a quote from one of my favorite movies, 1995's 'The American President': '(People) want leadership. They're so thirsty for it they'll crawl through the desert toward a mirage, and when they discover there's no water, they'll drink the sand.' Life is never so neatly tied up in 129 minutes, but the point still rings true some 30 years later: The American people are truly desperate for leadership. We want it so much that we have once again attached ourselves to a caricature of a strongman — and now I fear we are drinking the sand. Call me naive, but the last time this country felt united was during the Obama campaign, when hope and optimism were the order of the day. Perhaps it's no coincidence that Khanna worked in the Obama Administration. Americans crave a youthful, energetic, smart leader to unite behind once more. I fear the lack of one will doom us to an impossible situation, like trying to climb out of a sand pit. I don't know if Khanna is the leader America needs, because no one is going to be perfect for the role. But as a child of immigrants, a man who can move and speak just as easily in a crowd of billionaires as he does among the working class, follows through on his promises to fairly tax high income earners, protect social programs, rebuilds America's factory towns and shows the Democratic Party that its future lies not in staid gerontocracy, but in idealism and hope? He at least has a fighting chance.
New York Post
3 days ago
- Politics
- New York Post
The week in whoppers: Ro Khanna insists Dems aren't ‘woke and weak,' Patti LuPone flames the Trump-led Kennedy Center and more
Diary of disturbing disinformation and dangerous delusions This defense: 'Democrats are not woke and weak. We are a great party and should be proud of that.' — Rep. Ro Khanna, Wednesday We say: The representative doth protest too much. Khanna is unconvincingly trying to defend his party from criticism by Rahm Emmanuel, who rightly slammed the Democrats' brand as 'toxic.' Advertisement Fact is, Democrats fully embraced the 'woke' label, ramming through DEI policies and framing themselves as the party of 'equity,' until about five minutes ago, when they realized it was costing them elections. Now they're trying their best to convince voters they have something to offer besides noxious finger-wagging and divisive identity politics — and even shelling out millions to figure out how to win back men. Sorry, Ro: The 'woke and weak' label was hard-earned, and you'll have to earn your way out of it. Advertisement This appeal: '[The Kennedy Center] should get blown up.' — Patti LuPone, in an interview published Monday We say: LuPone is no stranger to melodramatics, but her language slamming the cultural institution just because President Trump is the chair is more violent than she may realize. Considering the recent arson attacks on Tesla dealerships, GOP offices and the home of Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, the chance that some crazed lefty will take her up on the challenge is well above zero. Advertisement Millionaire Patti won't be affected by the violence she's egging on while she lounges in her Central Park West apartment, but everyday innocents will be. Talk about privilege. This claim: 'Dems have fully embraced far right eugenics.' — Taylor Lorenz, Tuesday We say: Seems 'far right eugenics' now means 'wanting kids to know how to read.' Advertisement Lorenz, who believes that 'we never had a single lock down in this country' because they weren't strict enough, is upset that former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg admitted schools should've reopened sooner during the pandemic. Buttigieg's too-late realization is backed by mountains of evidence that show school closures yielded sky-high absenteeism, record drops in reading and math scores, higher rates of mental illness and of stunted socialization. It crippled an entire generation, yet Lorenz couldn't care less. This statement: 'Far right extremists want to take your health care away.' — Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, Tuesday We say: Democrats can't honestly defend their resistance to the modest Medicaid reforms in the House Republican budget bill, so they've resorted to big, fat fibs. The truth: The bill would require working-age, able-bodied Medicaid recipients to work, volunteer or attend school for 80 hours per month. Advertisement That will not 'take health care away' from the truly needy; in fact, it will cut down on waste and fraud and ensure that public funds are going to those who need it most — children, the disabled, the elderly and pregnant women. Opposing that is madness, so Democrats fall back on fearmongering lies. — Compiled by The Post Editorial Board
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
San Francisco scraps 'equity grading' program following backlash
San Francisco's education chief was today forced into a humiliating U-turn on a woke new program to lower pass marks in an effort to promote 'equity.' Superintendent of Schools Maria Su unveiled the new 'Grading for Equity' plan last night that would have seen homework and weekly testing scrapped, with students allowed to pass with scores as low as 41 - down from the current pass mark of 61. But just hours later on Wednesday afternoon, Su released a statement following widespread condemnation from across the political spectrum saying the district would hold off on implementing the move for a year. She said: 'At the May 27 Board of Education meeting, we presented a proposal for a professional development opportunity in standards-based grading. There was no action taken at the meeting. No changes to grading practices have been adopted by the district or Board of Education. 'We hold every SFUSD student to high standards, and our goal is to support student success by prioritizing learning and mastery. It's clear there are a lot of questions, concerns, and misinformation with this proposal. 'We want to make sure any changes benefit our students. I have decided not to pursue this strategy for next year to ensure we have time to meaningfully engage the community. 'Right now we need to continue to focus on balancing our budget, stabilizing the district, and rebuilding trust.' Ro Khanna, a Democratic congressman for Silicon Valley known for his progressive values, had slammed the move on X, writing: 'My immigrant dad asked me where the missing 10% went when I scored a 90. He came to America for the chance to work hard & pursue excellence. 'Giving A's for 80 percent & no homework is not equity - it betrays the American Dream and every parent who wants more for their kids.' According to The Voice of San Francisco , the plan was set to go into effect later this fall. The outlet reported that the new plan would have essentially eliminated homework and weekly testing from making up a student's final semester grade. A student's grade would be based solely on their final examination, which they can also take multiple times. Students can also be late in handing in assignments or even fail to appear in class without it having an effect on their overall mark. Current thresholds in place mean a student needs a 90 for an A and at least 61 for a D. The changes mean a score as low as 80 now counts as an A, while a mark of 21 counts as a D. Democrat Garry Tan, a venture capitalist, also blasted the move. He said: 'San Francisco schools is trying its absolute hardest to make sure all middle income families who could move out of the city do so right away. ''Grading for Equity' is going to be a real disaster and I guess this is a boon for SF private schools and Burlingame housing prices. 'For education bureaucrats who ruin our public schools with the most unfair and anti-merit polices: BUSINESS IS BOOMING. 'Someone needs to investigate the Schools of Education that spawn these policies because it is a real danger to public schools everywhere.' Entrepreneur Chamath Palihapitiya added: 'This is, on its face, absolutely retarded. It's also a disgrace that this comes from the preeminent tech capital of the world. 'This will, however, be very good for housing prices in areas surrounding SF.' According to the outlet, the district had consulted Joe Feldman who had helped implement a similar system in Placer County in 2019. In an article on the School Superintendents Association in 2019, Feldman said: 'The percentage of students receiving D's and F's decreased — and decreased more dramatically for students of color and for students with special needs. 'Grade inflation, as measured by the rate of students receiving A's, decreased, and they dropped more dramatically among more privileged student populations. 'Students' grades didn't just improve; they were more accurate. Improved grading practices significantly decreased the difference between students' grades and their scores on standardized assessments of that content, and the effect was stronger and more likely for students who qualified for free or reduced-price lunch. 'Students and teachers reported less stressful classrooms and stronger teacher-student relationships.' The Voice said that the new system would be modeled on a system used in the San Leandro Unified School District. At that school district, pupils can earn an A with a score of 80 percent and achieve a pass with a D at 21 percent.
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
San Francisco's education chief forced into humiliating U-turn on woke 'Grading for Equity' program
San Francisco's education chief was today forced into a humiliating U-turn on a woke new program to lower pass marks in an effort to promote 'equity.' Superintendent of Schools Maria Su unveiled the new 'Grading for Equity' plan last night that would have seen homework and weekly testing scrapped, with students allowed to pass with scores as low as 41 - down from the current pass mark of 61. But just hours later on Wednesday afternoon, Su released a statement following widespread condemnation from across the political spectrum saying the district would hold off on implementing the move for a year. She said: 'At the May 27 Board of Education meeting, we presented a proposal for a professional development opportunity in standards-based grading. There was no action taken at the meeting. No changes to grading practices have been adopted by the district or Board of Education. 'We hold every SFUSD student to high standards, and our goal is to support student success by prioritizing learning and mastery. It's clear there are a lot of questions, concerns, and misinformation with this proposal. 'We want to make sure any changes benefit our students. I have decided not to pursue this strategy for next year to ensure we have time to meaningfully engage the community. 'Right now we need to continue to focus on balancing our budget, stabilizing the district, and rebuilding trust.' Ro Khanna, a Democratic congressman for Silicon Valley known for his progressive values, had slammed the move on X, writing: 'My immigrant dad asked me where the missing 10% went when I scored a 90. He came to America for the chance to work hard & pursue excellence. 'Giving A's for 80 percent & no homework is not equity - it betrays the American Dream and every parent who wants more for their kids.' According to The Voice of San Francisco, the plan was set to go into effect later this fall. The outlet reported that the new plan would have essentially eliminated homework and weekly testing from making up a student's final semester grade. A student's grade would be based solely on their final examination, which they can also take multiple times. Students can also be late in handing in assignments or even fail to appear in class without it having an effect on their overall mark. Current thresholds in place mean a student needs a 90 for an A and at least 61 for a D. The changes mean a score as low as 80 now counts as an A, while a mark of 21 counts as a D. Democrat Garry Tan, a venture capitalist, also blasted the move. He said: 'San Francisco schools is trying its absolute hardest to make sure all middle income families who could move out of the city do so right away. The move has been widely criticized on social media even from Democrats ''Grading for Equity' is going to be a real disaster and I guess this is a boon for SF private schools and Burlingame housing prices. 'For education bureaucrats who ruin our public schools with the most unfair and anti-merit polices: BUSINESS IS BOOMING. 'Someone needs to investigate the Schools of Education that spawn these policies because it is a real danger to public schools everywhere.' Entrepreneur Chamath Palihapitiya added: 'This is, on its face, absolutely retarded. It's also a disgrace that this comes from the preeminent tech capital of the world. 'This will, however, be very good for housing prices in areas surrounding SF.' According to the outlet, the district had consulted Joe Feldman who had helped implement a similar system in Placer County in 2019. In an article on the School Superintendents Association in 2019, Feldman said: 'The percentage of students receiving D's and F's decreased — and decreased more dramatically for students of color and for students with special needs. 'Grade inflation, as measured by the rate of students receiving A's, decreased, and they dropped more dramatically among more privileged student populations. 'Students' grades didn't just improve; they were more accurate. Improved grading practices significantly decreased the difference between students' grades and their scores on standardized assessments of that content, and the effect was stronger and more likely for students who qualified for free or reduced-price lunch. 'Students and teachers reported less stressful classrooms and stronger teacher-student relationships.' The Voice said that the new system would be modeled on a system used in the San Leandro Unified School District. At that school district, pupils can earn an A with a score of 80 percent and achieve a pass with a D at 21 percent.
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
San Francisco's absurd new plan for school kids even has liberal parents furious
Parents across the political spectrum are up in arms after San Francisco's school district announced a new plan that will see pass marks lowered. Superintendent of Schools Maria Su unveiled the new 'Grading for Equity' plan last night that will scrap homework and weekly testing, and allow students to pass with scores as low as 41. It comes after left-wing activists argued that homework and testing disproportionately affects students from poorer backgrounds and creates an uneven playing field. But even liberals pushed back against the extreme new policy. Ro Khanna, a Democratic congressman for Silicon Valley known for his progressive values, slammed the move on X: 'My immigrant dad asked me where the missing 10% went when I scored a 90. He came to America for the chance to work hard & pursue excellence. 'Giving A's for 80 percent & no homework is not equity - it betrays the American Dream and every parent who wants more for their kids.' According to The Voice of San Francisco, the plan, which is set to go into effect later this fall. Su has been able to push the new plan through without being the subject to a public vote, with the plan set to affect over 10,000 students in 14 high schools. The outlet reported that the new plan will essentially eliminate homework and weekly testing from making up a student's final semester grade. A student's grade will be based solely on their final examination, which they can also take multiple times. Students can also be late in handing in assignments or even fail to appear in class without it having an effect on their overall mark. Current thresholds in place mean a students needs a 90 for an A and at least 61 for a D. The changes mean a score as low as 80 now counts as an A, while a mark of 21 counts as a D. Fellow democrat Garry Tan, a venture capitalist, also blasted the move, he said: 'San Francisco schools is trying its absolute hardest to make sure all middle income families who could move out of the city do so right away ''Grading for Equity' is going to be a real disaster and I guess this is a boon for SF private schools and Burlingame housing prices. 'For education bureaucrats who ruin our public schools with the most unfair and anti-merit polices: BUSINESS IS BOOMING. 'Someone needs to investigate the Schools of Education that spawn these policies because it is a real danger to public schools everywhere.' The move has been widely criticized on social media even from Democrats Entrepreneur Chamath Palihapitiya added: 'This is, on its face, absolutely retarded. It's also a disgrace that this comes from the preeminent tech capital of the world. 'This will, however, be very good for housing prices in areas surrounding SF.' According to the outlet, the district had consulted Joe Feldman who had helped implement a similar system in Placer County in 2019. In an article on the School Superintendents Association in 2019, Feldman said: 'The percentage of students receiving D's and F's decreased — and decreased more dramatically for students of color and for students with special needs. 'Grade inflation, as measured by the rate of students receiving A's, decreased, and they dropped more dramatically among more privileged student populations. 'Students' grades didn't just improve; they were more accurate. Improved grading practices significantly decreased the difference between students' grades and their scores on standardized assessments of that content, and the effect was stronger and more likely for students who qualified for free or reduced-price lunch. 'Students and teachers reported less stressful classrooms and stronger teacher-student relationships.' The Voice said that the new system will be modeled on a system used in the San Leandro Unified School District. At that school district, pupils can earn an A with a score of 80 percent and achieve a pass with a D at 21 percent.
