About 20 people attended a meet and greet at Panora’s Owl’s Nest for recently declared Democratic Presidential candidate Tim Ryan Monday night.

The 17-year Congressman from Ohio said the country is too divided to deliver any robust economic plan that he thinks is needed to rebuild the country. He believes people need to listen and respect one another, which he said he will do if elected President. He thinks the country is ready to “go big” but it can’t if it is divided.

“Look I think a lot more like the Roosevelt FDR coalition because it’s really going to include rural America. I think we can do that. I think rural America not making a profit in five years from any farmers, I think you’re looking at the loss of manufacturing, the erosion of our downtowns, the failure for us to really get to a reasonable sustainable agricultural system. These are the key issues that we can push as Democrats but it’s not just for Democrats, it’s for Independents, it’s for Republicans, it’s about all of us.”

Ryan talked about investing in the electric vehicle and solar power industries to better compete with China. He also thought that by investing in programs such as infrastructure and education, there would be some returns on those investments, which could pay back some of the $20 trillion national debt. He spoke about healthcare programs that keep people healthy and incentivizing them, instead of investing money in the current “disease care” system. He also wanted to find a way to pay farmers to plant alternative crops. As for foreign policy matters, Ryan said he wants to repair the relationships that the country has with their allies and improve economic ties with other Asia countries, other than China. He also pointed out that Russia tries to divide the country through social media propaganda anytime there is a cultural issue.

The event was hosted by the Guthrie County Democratic Party.