Third Way Statement on Governor Martin O’Malley’s Social Security Plan

“Political pandering at its worst”

“Social Security is in crisis, and we need solutions to fix it, not deepen the hole we are in. The idea of giving out more Social Security benefits to every single American may poll well at first. But Governor O’Malley’s expansion-for-all plan is not progressive, it is political pandering at its worst.

“We must be working to ensure that Social Security benefits increase for those in need and that Social Security is preserved for generations to come, not heaping superfluous benefits on Lexus-driving retirees in Palm Beach. Instead of taking care of the elderly who rely on Social Security to live in dignity and making room for federal investments in children, research, and infrastructure, this plan is a transparent pander to those who don’t need it.

“We have admired the Governor’s data-driven approach to problems in the past. But unfortunately, the numbers in his Social Security plan just don’t add up.”