Nate Baker @natebakerdurham.bsky.social · 02/09/2026A small matter in the grand scheme of things at the moment but the NCGOP just pushed through new legislation to force fewer and smaller windows to all future buildings across the state. The party stands for absolutely nothing other than passing legislation any particular donor wants. 020
Nate Baker @natebakerdurham.bsky.social · 17/07/2026When powerful people endorse political candidates, it implies support of the person, their policy positions, ideology, values, and character. When that candidate takes immoral (not just illegal) action, or even actions deeply inconsistent with progressive values, it becomes necessary to speak up. 000
Nate Baker @natebakerdurham.bsky.social · 17/07/2026As the American Far Right ramps up its anti-Left rhetoric, much like the Nazis, it’s important to remember why Leftists ARE dangerous. It’s not because we understand and believe in alternative systems, like socialism. It’s because to become a socialist one needs to study and understand capitalism. 100
Nate Baker @natebakerdurham.bsky.social · 12/05/2026The US imperialist war on Iran and rising gas prices show direct connections between local and global policy. Durham’s ongoing approvals of car-dependent sprawl must end and walkability needs to be treated as the urgent crisis it is. 100% of future development should move us toward a walkable city. 010
Reposted by Nate BakerLisa Song @lisalsong.bsky.social · 09/05/20261/ Tear gas was created to incapacitate grown men. So when I started seeing reports of kids hurt by tear gas deployed by federal immigration agents, I wondered how often it was happening. My colleagues and I started to count: 7343642089
Reposted by Nate BakerJustin Wolfers @justinwolfers.bsky.social · 10/05/2026My latest @nytimes.com oped shows that the White House is dramatically understating the cost of the war in Iran. By my calculations—and I show my work—this war will cost the typical American family thousands, and it could cost them tens of thousands. Gift link: www.nytimes.com/2026/05/08/o...nytimes.comOpinion | Hegseth Says This War Has Cost $25 Billion. I Tallied Up the True Amount. 24253922582
Nate Baker @natebakerdurham.bsky.social · 21/04/2026From Florida to NC and beyond, the new obsession of the GOP, under the developer-in-chief, with attacking local property tax authority—already an inadequate alternative to prohibited wealth or income taxes—is obviously because the Epstein class has much of its wealth stored in real estate. 011
Reposted by Nate Bakerm @micdwy.bsky.social · 09/04/2026essential reading, essential reporting by Lena @writingthings.bsky.social 1159
Nate Baker @natebakerdurham.bsky.social · 04/04/2026Durham City Council has approved annexations and land uses equaling half the entire area of Manhattan - entirely in car-dependent sprawl. This will go down as one of the great shames of our city. Current events show just how urgent we must work to transition toward a walkable city. 051
Nate Baker @natebakerdurham.bsky.social · 04/04/2026For years, 100% of all homes approved in Durham’s sprawling, auto-dependent edges have been placed into HOAs. The whole system is broken and is being allowed to remain that way. 110
Nate Baker @natebakerdurham.bsky.social · 07/03/2026The facts don’t lie: Cuba outperforms the United States on metric after metric from literacy to childhood mortality to homelessness. Elected officials cannot remain silent on the US blockade—intended to destroy a people and a system shown to be superior to capitalism in solving policy challenges. 010
Nate Baker @natebakerdurham.bsky.social · 25/02/2026Rightwing policy will always favor shoveling out hardworking Americans’ money to elites who are already hoarding more money than the human mind can fathom. 010
Nate Baker @natebakerdurham.bsky.social · 01/02/2026City facilities will be closed tomorrow (2/2). The City Council meeting will be conducted virtually and will proceed at 7pm. The meeting will be live-streamed on Zoom and YouTube, and a recording of the meeting will be available. Speakers need to sign up to speak on agenda items by 5pm. 000
Nate Baker @natebakerdurham.bsky.social · 04/01/2026Trump said something’s “going to have to be done with Mexico” and that Gustavo Petro “has to watch his ass.” And that “Cuba is going to be something we talk about.” Look at the big picture. Maduro as a figure is a distraction used to justify rightwing American imperialism and resource extraction. 021
Nate Baker @natebakerdurham.bsky.social · 03/01/2026End the illegal war in Venezuela and return President Maduro. Trump and the GOP are maniacal, evil global villains waging war without congressional approval. Trump needs to be removed and locked up before more damage at home and abroad can be done. Money for housing and education, not bombs! 020
Nate Baker @natebakerdurham.bsky.social · 05/11/2025Congratulations to the winners of the Durham municipal race, including Leonardo Williams, Chelsea Cook, Shanetta Burris, and Matt Kopac. And congratulations to fellow Democratic Socialists outside of Durham and across the country from Danny Nowell in Carrboro to Zohran Mamdani in New York. 073
Nate Baker @natebakerdurham.bsky.social · 03/11/2025Local government has enormous power to regulate real estate. Let’s be clear: Accepting big real estate campaign money is incompatible with progressive local politics. We need big real estate donations and schmoozing with big developers OUT of Durham local and state legislative politics. 151
Reposted by Nate BakerWill Stancil @whstancil.bsky.social · 24/10/2025It’s the most corrupt administration in American history and nothing else even comes close 1331460
Nate Baker @natebakerdurham.bsky.social · 23/10/2025North Carolina is not a democracy. We just cosplay democracy. We don’t need a strong GOP—they’re an existential threat to this country and world. I’d like to see NC democrats make resident ballot measures a top priority to show North Carolinians that the serves the billionaires over everyone else. 140
Nate Baker @natebakerdurham.bsky.social · 22/10/2025Disdain for democracy has ALWAYS been inherent to rightwing ideology, which is why we must always do everything we can to keep them from power. Now that they have full power, they are comfortable carrying out crimes & corruption. We must do all we can to defeat and dismantle this rotten system. 020
Nate Baker @natebakerdurham.bsky.social · 05/10/2025Because neoliberalism has failed to provide for the people but has provided great wealth for a few, it needs to be repackaged. A new name, a new coat of paint. We are seeing a lot of that happening these days among pundits who can’t stomach Trump’s personality and social policy. 030
Nate Baker @natebakerdurham.bsky.social · 23/09/2025Often when we talk about places being “overdeveloped” what’s actually happened is those places are just poorly developed. It’s not that there are too many people/jobs/things to do, it’s that car-centric development has made cities unbearable. 141
Reposted by Nate BakerSenator Bernie Sanders @sanders.senate.gov · 17/09/2025How did Dr. Monarez go from being “a public health expert with unimpeachable scientific credentials” who had the “full confidence” of Secretary Kennedy into being a “liar” and “untrustworthy” in less than a month? She refused to rubber stamp his anti-vaccine recommendations. 15482452564
Nate Baker @natebakerdurham.bsky.social · 17/09/2025Locking thousands of acres into low density single-family sprawl, just because that’s what homebuilders want, is not pro-housing or pro-urbanist, despite what many well-funded organizations and individuals say. We can truly build sustainable cities but we need to cut through the noise and lies. 170
Reposted by Nate BakerINDY Week @indyweek.bsky.social · 25/07/2025Durham’s Transportation Department wants to give one of the city’s busiest traffic corridors a major upgrade by developing its first Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) route.indyweek.comA Plan for Bus Rapid Transit in Durham is In the WorksThe City of Durham is designing and seeking funding for a central Durham bus rapid transit system that would run from Duke to Wellons Village. 0256
Reposted by Nate BakerI'm just Jeff, your friend who cares @leffjakin.bsky.social · 26/07/2025For as long as I've known him, @natebakerdurham.bsky.social has preached the same policy agenda Zohran Mamdani has put a spotlight on in NYC. Here for @indyweek.bsky.social, he makes the case for this Democratic Socialist agenda as the last best hope against fascism. indyweek.com/news/opinion...indyweek.comOp-Ed: The Left Can Defeat the Rising Tide of FascismHistory shows that oppressive systems can be overthrown, even when they seem insurmountable. What can we do locally? 165
Nate Baker @natebakerdurham.bsky.social · 23/07/2025We do not want ICE in our community. We do not welcome ICE in our community. ICE makes Durham more dangerous. ICE is a waste of taxpayer money when we have many other urgent needs. ICE is Trump and Stephen Miller’s personal police force. ICE has fascist tendencies. Abolish ICE. 1157
Nate Baker @natebakerdurham.bsky.social · 23/07/2025What’s at stake in the 2025 Durham municipal race? With municipal elections gearing up during a rise in state and federal fascism and oligarchy, you might be wondering if there’s much at stake locally. The answer is YES - the stakes are high. 130
Nate Baker @natebakerdurham.bsky.social · 08/07/2025How do we build a thriving, just, and democratic city in a declining nation? How can we fight locally against all odds to overthrow the corrupt and exploitative ruling class? These are questions Mamdani’s people-powered campaign in NYC are shedding some light on & our task in Durham & elsewhere. 010
Reposted by Nate BakerNina Turner @ninaturner.bsky.social · 30/06/2025What’s in the bill the Senate is about to vote on? -CUTS to Medicaid & SNAP -SELLING our public lands -LOOPHOLES for Big Oil to make even more money -BLOCKS AI regulations at the state and local levels -MORE money for war Call your Senators & tell them to vote NO: 202 224-3121 514948
Nate Baker @natebakerdurham.bsky.social · 28/06/2025This weekend the North Carolina Democratic Party Executive Committee will be convening. They have an opportunity for TRANSFORMATIONAL CHANGE by approving the “People’s Primary” Policy banning billionaires and corporations from buying or unduly influencing Democratic Primaries. Approve it! 183
Nate Baker @natebakerdurham.bsky.social · 20/06/2025In Atlanta this weekend so I decided to read some of @danimmergluck.bsky.social’s book Red Hot City and it shows a lot of similarities to Durham and Raleigh. Reading some DuBois as well and that has tons of similarities too. 051
Nate Baker @natebakerdurham.bsky.social · 07/06/2025open.substack.com/pub/walkable...open.substack.com10 Key Takeaways From the Proposed City of Durham BudgetThe FY2026 City Budget goes to a City Council vote on Monday, June 16 021
Nate Baker @natebakerdurham.bsky.social · 05/06/2025Durham now has record levels of residential vacancies. To build housing on city land not only would we have to subsidize affordable units but now market rate units too. 4 major residential/mixed use downtown projects are paused: GeerHouse 2, YMCA Redevelopment, ATC Phase II, Durham Center II 001
Nate Baker @natebakerdurham.bsky.social · 03/05/2025Inherent to human nature is a desire for human-scaled places. There’s a reason why—from an urban design perspective—people tend to feel comfortable me walking and standing in places like this. 042
Nate Baker @natebakerdurham.bsky.social · 03/05/2025The GOP continues its destructive assault against our country, workers, environment, and climate — it was just announced that EPA’s Office of Research and Development will be “reorganized” in a way that amounts to firing hundreds of Triangle-area workers. 110
Nate Baker @natebakerdurham.bsky.social · 29/04/2025The growing glorification and normalization of violence against people protesting war and Israel’s genocide in Gaza is despicable and should be condemned by all of our leaders in the strongest terms. 150
Nate Baker @natebakerdurham.bsky.social · 28/04/2025No, now is NOT the time to dissolve the Durham Workers Rights Commission. Now is the time to make it stronger than ever. As of today, I’m excited to be the Durham City Council liaison to the DWRC and ready to get to work making Durham a union city and fighting for a stronger working class. 030
Nate Baker @natebakerdurham.bsky.social · 14/04/2025Homelessness is one of our great challenges and directly tied to our oligarchical system. As New Deal programs become increasingly eroded, communities large and small across the U.S. are facing record levels of homelessness. Durham is not immune to this nationwide trend. 131
Reposted by Nate BakerNina Turner @ninaturner.bsky.social · 11/04/2025It is a foregone conclusion that we will have universal healthcare in this country because every other system is simply unsustainable. How soon that day comes depends on what we decide to do with our days. 925731
Reposted by Nate BakerYonah Freemark @yonahfreemark.com · 10/04/2025Not a single time in this article glorifying the need for sprawl to address the US's affordable housing crisis is there a mention of the vast transportation costs of sprawling living patterns. Nor is there mention of the fact that sprawl is directly linked to disinvestment in urban cores.nytimes.comAmerica Needs More Sprawl to Fix Its Housing CrisisThe word has become an epithet for garish, reckless growth — but to fix the housing crisis, the country needs more of it. 1071904332
Nate Baker @natebakerdurham.bsky.social · 09/04/2025Thrilled that Council has approved the Vision Zero action plan. Too many people are dying on our streets and we’re going in the wrong direction. We need to be bold and brave to make our streets safer. 052
Nate Baker @natebakerdurham.bsky.social · 09/04/2025I’ve received a lot of congratulatory comments regarding the Council’s rejection of Sheffield Farms rezoning/annexation case. It was the right outcome of this specific proposal, but it was representative of a broken system that needs to change. 210
Nate Baker @natebakerdurham.bsky.social · 07/04/2025One day we’ll look back on the present and ask why we allowed a whole street to cut through the heart of Durham’s primary civic gathering space. We need great spaces for people to gather for protests. We should convert Corcoran St downtown to the plaza it bisects. 041
Reposted by Nate BakerCity of Durham, NC @cityofdurhamnc.bsky.social · 24/03/2025Have a project idea that uplifts young people in Durham? Apply by March 30 for our Durham Youth Leadership Fund! Young people ages 13-24 years, community groups, and organizations can now apply for one-year project funding ranging from $500-$25,000. ➡️Learn more: www.durhamnc.gov/4499/Durham-... 021
Reposted by Nate BakerProPublica @propublica.org · 24/03/2025Dozens more pregnant and postpartum women have died in Texas hospitals since the state banned abortion, our analysis shows. As the maternal mortality rate dropped nationally, it rose in Texas by 33%.propub.liTexas Banned Abortion. Then Sepsis Rates Soared.ProPublica’s first-of-its-kind analysis is the most detailed look yet into a rise in life-threatening complications for women experiencing pregnancy loss under Texas’ abortion ban. 404101235990