While recuperating from a health issue over the holidays, I've had a little extra time for TV. Over the MLK weekend, I watched The Point with Marsha Kramer, which included an informative interview with Congressman George Latimer about the current state of Washington. The episode ended with a simple question posed to New Yorkers on the street: "Should we teach respect in schools?" As a parent and former school board trustee, my answer is no, not as a standalone class. Respect is not a subject. It is a standard that must be modeled every day – by teachers, leaders, and institutions alike, in schools, at work, in government, and even in political discourse. Respect and accountability also matter when decisions directly affect people's daily lives. That is why I have been actively advocating against the Con Edison rate increases. I was deeply disappointed by the Public Service Commission's decision to approve them yesterday, especially the gas hikes sche...