Here are some of the things I look for in political leadership, in order of importance: 4/ People who can and will do a good job: I’m looking for people with a track record of making things happen, who collaborate well and surround themselves with people who are also committed to a progressive agenda and can help them succeed, 5/

In another instance of long-term underfunding coming home to roost, my kid’s school, Morehead Elementary, has a major heating system problem that’s resulted in two evacuations this month. They’re now planning to relocate the entire school indefinitely while they wait for parts. I heard from a teacher that her classroom hasn’t had functional heat for weeks. A parent brought her a space heater, which doesn’t heat the room well, but the kids huddle next to it to stay warm on cold days.

Today I spent $20 to buy an hour of “video visitation” time with an incarcerated friend. I can’t visit him in person even though he’s only 30 minutes away, because the jail only allows in-person visits by lawyers and clergy. No partners, no kids, no parents, no friends. A few years ago Durham activists campaigned against video visitation at the Durham jail for fear it would completely replace in-person visitation. That’s exactly what’s happened there. Even if you COME TO THE JAIL, you only get to talk to your loved one on a video screen.