Tonight on Lawrence O’Donnell’s show on MSNBC they did an extended feature and interview about public housing. Ritchie Torres is the advocate who has invited all of the candidates to take a tour and NONE have. Torres is an amazing, rising star based on what I saw. Both the Clinton and Sanders people should risk physical injury to run towards this young man and more importantly to showcase the story that he so perfectly framed in his advocacy for affordable housing especially in cities like New York. Mr. Torres talked about growing up in public housing and noted that had it not been an option he would have spent his life in a homeless shelter.
There have been more than a few moments during this Democratic primary that have made me feel hopeless, but young Mr. Torres buoyed my spirits this evening. He was measured, straight-forward and profoundly sound in his articulation of the case for federal government help on this front.
The link to tonight’s show is not yet up. I will add when it does become available. West Coasters can watch in their time zone, though.
Sanders people should press the candidate to do the tour that Mr. Torres is offering! As should Clinton people! Affordable housing is important to all of us even if we aren’t aware of how it is.