Chennai: Reassuring to the people that he would resist any racial divisiveness of the new regime, Indian-American Congressman and democrat Raja Krishnamoorthi said: “America is best when united.”
Raja Krishnamoorthi, 43, was elected from Illinois’ 8th Congressional District on November 8, 2016, and will begin his first term in January 2017. He is advocating policies to help working families, including equal pay for equal work and raising the federal minimum wages and making college more affordable.
Raja Krishnamoorthi who is on a private visit to Chennai spoke to the reporters here on various issues, including the racial tension after the Trump’s victory and why democrats failed in the US Presidential elections. Excerpts:-
Q Is it possible to achieve Democrats goals like equal pay for equal work and raising the minimum wages?
In my view, the middle class has propelled America to the strength it has and unfortunately it is also shrinking. We have to strengthen the poor people and middle-class people in order to help them to achieve wealth and prosperity. I believe these values and principles are consonant even with the one our President-elect Donald Trump believes, as well, even his daughter Ivanka Trump has talked about gender pay equality and affordable child care.
Q After the opinion polls, many expected Hilary to win the elections. What happened?
I think that this question will be studied for decades. I believe that Donald Trump really created an incredible enthusiasm among his base to come out and vote. Unfortunately, the same enthusiasm was not there within the democratic base in certain key states such has Midwest.
Q Will the Donald Trump’s regime take the relationships with India forward?
Both our republican and democratic presidents have strengthened the relationship with India. I believe the trend will continue. I will be one of those who urges the newly elected president to continue the course and I think it makes all the sense that the world’s largest democracy having the strong relationship with the oldest democracy. That trend will continue.
Q Is there any racial tension in the US after the Trump’s victory?
Unfortunately, Donald Trump did use some rhetoric which is distressing. I really hope he will move away from them and pursue those areas where we can come together and work together for the betterment of people. There are a lot of people who are scared. I can reassure them that I will resist any racial divisiveness or rhetoric that will be pursued by the new administration. America is best when it is united.
Q Will he go back on commitments made in the Paris climate change accord?
I hope President-elect Trump does not go back on our commitment under the Paris climate change accord. The accord not only helps to save our planet, it will also help us to create jobs. I will be fighting for that in US congress.
Q What would be President Obama’s legacy?
President Obama has done so much to the American people. We were facing depression when he came to power and our GDP was negative. Eight years later, the private sector jobs have been growing for several months continuously and we are having positive GDP economic growth. Different industries were revived. He made America safer and he made it economically stronger. The approval ratings from the people make him a popular president. American people loved his independent decision making and family values.
