O'Malley Goes Big On Social Security
Martin O'Malley releases Social Security expansion plan. Politico: "[He] will call for expanding Social Security benefits to all Americans for 'current and future' retirees, in addition to lifting the payroll tax cap on people earning more than $250,000 ... It would increase benefits for low-income workers ... Instead of using the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners, O’Malley supports the use of the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly ..."
Bernie Sanders enjoying biggest crowds of his career. NYT: "For someone who has always had a sweepingly macro, if not entirely Marxist, critique of America, having the largest crowds of the election cheering each description of income inequality, and each proposal to eradicate it, amounts to the validation of a career spent in relative obscurity."
Trump Inspires Hate Crime
Trump expresses sympathy for two whites who cited him as inspiration for assaulting a Latino. W. Post quotes: "it would be a shame. ... I will say that people who are following me are very passionate. They love this country and they want this country to be great again. They are passionate."
Jeb steps up attack on Trump. NYT quotes: "...there should be a little more focus on solving the problems and talking about ideas that matter, rather than just kind of coming in like a tidal wave and saying things that are just outrageous and don’t make sense. All of this stuff is to appeal to people’s anger and their angst, rather than have solutions to the problems.”
The border is already secure, notes LAT's Robin Abcarian: "Screaming about illegal border crossings may be at an all-time high, but actual illegal border crossings are at historic lows. To all but the most determined smugglers, our border is effectively sealed."
New Elections In Greece
Greek PM calls for new elections after bailout deal. NYT: "Defections from Mr. Tsipras’s coalition had raised the possibility that he would not have the necessary support to prevail in a potential parliamentary test ... He now seems to be positioning himself as more of a centrist but still populist leader ... betting that Greek voters, weary of instability, will support him in a new vote and enable him to form a new government absent hard-line leftist dissenters."
Krugman reminds "Debt is Good": "...issuing debt is a way to pay for useful things, and we should do more of that when the price is right ... debt of stable, reliable governments provides 'safe assets' that help investors manage risks, make transactions easier and avoid a destructive scramble for cash."
