The Big Ideas Project

Corporations should NOT be allowed to deduct from their taxes any portion of fines, penalties and/or restitution costs assessed under a settlement with the government as a result of the corporation's malfeasance and/or negligence.

Submitted by Mary Rocco in Taxes & Budget Dec. 10, 2014, 5:06 p.m.

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#21

5204 votes

Merged Idea

Care for the homeless, and address the causes of homelessness. Stop criminalizing homelessness, retrain law enforcement to ensure they assist the homeless, and provide proper care for mental patients. Veterans make up a disproportionate percentage of the homeless population -- we must also fully fund hospital care for veterans, house homeless veterans through the VA, and provide returning veterans with a transition period for debriefing, restoration, and job training before they are thrust back in society.

Submitted by Dr. James A. Perkins in Society & Community Nov. 16, 2014, 5:28 p.m. 1

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#22

5106 votes

Merged Idea

Internet: We need the world's fastest and most affordable options. Most of us have one choice of high-speed Internet at home: the cable company. A monopoly means we're paying too much for too little. Some towns, here and abroad, have affordable "gigabit" connections that are 20 times as fast as what 82% of Americans have currently. Along with some basic rules, we can create real competition, including from city governments. Let's ensure open, high-speed, affordable Internet options for all.

Submitted by Marvin Ammori, Affiliate Scholar with the Center for Internet and Society at Stanford Law School in Infrastructure & Technology Dec. 10, 2014, 1:25 a.m.

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#23

4998 votes

Merged Idea

Mandatory recusal by U.S. Supreme Court Judges on any case with conflicts of interest. This is already the law everywhere else, but for some reason does not apply to judges/attorneys serving in the U.S. Supreme Court. This would prevent judges who were previously attorneys for corporations to vote on cases involving those corporations. i.e. Clarence Thomas used to work for Monsanto, yet he still votes on all of Monsanto's cases (and always sides with them).

Submitted by Sabine Jordan from CA in Government & Elections Dec. 10, 2014, 7:44 p.m.

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#24

4892 votes

Merged Idea

End the electoral college. My specific vote should count. Don't add me to my neighbors vote. No more gerrymandering, no more election manipulation. Bring back the popular vote.

Submitted by Eugene O. from NY in Government & Elections Nov. 17, 2014, 8:52 a.m. 1

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#25

4727 votes

Merged Idea

Stop imprisoning people, too many of whom are veterans and minorities, for non-violent crimes. Instead, have them do community service and/or use their abilities to help individuals care for their yards or homes, etc. It makes no sense to spend more money on a prisoner than a student for something like drug possession or sleeping in a park.

Submitted by Edwina S. from CA in Society & Community Nov. 16, 2014, 1:22 p.m. 2

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#26

4674 votes

Merged Idea

Eliminate lifetime pensions for members of Congress and the Senate. Most of them go on to big paying jobs on K Street, or in the private sector. They don't need government pensions.

Submitted by atchelka in Taxes & Budget Dec. 10, 2014, 4:59 p.m. 1

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#27

4598 votes

Merged Idea

Stop privatization of Public Schools. These "reformists" like Campbell and Michelle Rhee are insidious as they are working for hedge funds and corporations and publishers. If they control who teaches and what is taught, we no longer have a democracy. These groups are profit seekers and not educators . They are anti Union as well The President needs to get rid of Arne Duncan and listen to Diane Ravitch

Submitted by Harriet Stolper, Retired Teacher in Education Nov. 11, 2014, 5:23 p.m.

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#28

4555 votes

Merged Idea

0% Interest on college loans for those who earn a degree, under or post graduate.

Submitted by Kathy McGrogan in Education Nov. 11, 2014, 5:47 p.m. 1

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#29

4412 votes

Voting is an absolute right and it is obvious that too many states are doing everything in their power to keep certain people from voting. This right needs to be protected at the national level under federal law. If voter ID should be required, it should be based on having a Social Security number only.

Submitted by Stuart in Civil Rights Jan. 4, 2015, 12:18 p.m. 1

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#30

4360 votes

Since corporations have been deemed people, make them have to announce their citizenship (citizenship based on where the official HQs is) & if they're not American then they shouldn't have the ability to donate to campaigns since they can not vote like a live person. Human foreigners can not vote in American elections & corporations that relocate overseas shouldn't be able to influence American elections.

Submitted by Bobby Copeland in Government & Elections Nov. 11, 2014, 8:20 p.m. 1

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#31

4181 votes

Merged Idea

Every bill must be 100% germane. If you want to attack contraception, it needs a standalone bill, not as a "rider" in a Budget bill. New Idea or New Subject? New. Bill. Every. Time.

Submitted by Reform It Now in Government & Elections Dec. 10, 2014, 11:22 a.m. 1

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#32

4169 votes

Merged Idea

Add vision, dental, hearing, to Medicare benefits for all ages.

Submitted by Kamishibai in Health Dec. 10, 2014, 1:35 p.m. 1

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#33

4147 votes

Close the Halliburton Loophole. The oil & gas industry should not be exempt from environmental protection laws (Clean Water Act, Clean Drinking Water Act, Clean Air Act, RCRA).

Submitted by Melody F. from PA in Environment Jan. 5, 2015, 2:41 a.m.

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#34

4103 votes

Merged Idea

Increase and improve K-12 education for all. Equalize money to all school districts regardless of their residents' ability to pay taxes. A good public education is our great equalizing factor and the future of our country.

Submitted by Nancy Crane from PA in Education Nov. 6, 2014, 7:31 a.m.

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#35

4098 votes

Merged Idea

Preservation of fresh water, air and the environment. We must defeat the Keystone XL pipeline and make sure everyone knows how it threatens our lives. If it goes through we can kiss the largest natural aquifer in North America goodbye. We have plenty of oil but fresh water is becoming more scarce every day.

Submitted by James H. from CA in Environment Nov. 14, 2014, 10:28 p.m. 2

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#36

4026 votes

Corporations receive tax credits for outsourcing jobs offshore. Reverse those tax credits by repealing them so that there are tax credits for insourcing jobs and keeping them in this country.

Submitted by Craig T. from FL in Economy & Jobs Dec. 10, 2014, 7:14 p.m.

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#37

4004 votes

In the same way that law enforcement agencies confiscate property gained in illegal drug trading, confiscate profits and executive bonuses for companies involved in illegal financial trading.

Submitted by Virginia Gilbert, retired journalist and seminary student in Economy & Jobs Nov. 9, 2014, 9:34 a.m.

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#38

3978 votes

Prosecute people who intentionally try to trick potential voters from voting (e.g. the Koch brothers). False absentee ballots were sent out to people. Billboard ads told people the wrong voting date. Some insinuated they could get arrested for voting. I see this as TREASON (against the Constitution).

Submitted by Stacy Croan from IL in Government & Elections Dec. 16, 2014, 9:29 p.m.

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#39

3961 votes

Any company that moves their corporate headquarters from the US to avoid taxes should be accessed a tariff on goods sold in the US as a foreign company.

Submitted by Paul J. from IL in Taxes & Budget Dec. 17, 2014, 4:02 p.m.

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#40

3912 votes

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