David Petraeus anti-muslim bigotry

The terrorists’ explicit hope has been to try to provoke a clash of civilizations — telling Muslims that the United States is at war with them and their religion. When Western politicians propose blanket discrimination against Islam, they bolster the terrorists’ propaganda ... Demonizing a religious faith and its adherents not only runs contrary to our most cherished and fundamental values as a country; it is also corrosive to our vital national security interests and, ultimately, to the United States’ success in this war.

The Washington Post, May 13, on anti-Muslim fearmongering in the election.

Vauhini Vara for-profit universities

Their argument was that the Department of Education shouldn’t collect on loans that students were misled into incurring, especially since they earned a degree that was all but worthless or, in some cases, found that their college had shut down before they could graduate ... The mantra, during the college boom, was that people should go to college, full stop—a notion that for-profit universities exploited in their recruitment tactics.

The New Yorker, May 16, on “the Corinthian Fifteen,’’ protesting students who refused to repay their student loans.

Paul Krugman paid leave for child care

Judged by what we actually do — or, more accurately, don’t do — to help small children and their parents, America is unique among advanced countries in its utter indifference to the lives of its youngest citizens ... And it would indeed be an investment — every bit as much of an investment as spending money to repair and improve our transportation infrastructure. After all, today’s children are tomorrow’s workers and taxpayers.

The New York Times, May 16, on policies to improve child care across the country.