The Big Ideas Project

Allow online taxpayers to itemize not only their tax deductions, but their tax expenditures as well. Want to fund only the Forestry Service? Go ahead! Have a fondness for the Navy? Make it your 50% priority! Those who choose not to itemize will have their tax dollars allocated by the formula Congress passes; and if no one steps up for the NSA, well, too bad so sad!

Submitted by FairBal in Taxes & Budget Jan. 16, 2015, 1:31 a.m.

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#2580

1 votes

Limit campaigns to 6 months prior to elections, have national qualifying standards for candidates, publicly fund campaigns for all qualifying candidates, including debates. Prohibit political advertising on TV and prohibit robo-calls. We need to end the perpetual campaigning and limit the influence of money. If the time period for campaigning were limited and the opportunities for manipulative TV advertising severely curtailed, we might be able to have some substance to our political season.

Submitted by Cholmondley in Government & Elections Jan. 15, 2015, 6:01 p.m.

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#2405

9 votes

Require all Congressional and Presidential candidates to take a test of cultural competence--(meaning, awareness of one's own cultural background; baggage; and level of commitment to respecting, and supporting people from non-dominant cultures. Such people include African Americans, gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgendered people, women, working class and poor people, disabled people, and non-Christians. Make the results of this test public.

Submitted by Gabriella K. from MD in Society & Community Jan. 16, 2015, 8:55 a.m.

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#2552

2 votes

Times have changed/old answers are not enough. Good jobs are declining We need new solutions to create jobs by creating incentives to provide economic growth through tax policies such as : 1. Tax benefits to bring manufacturing back to America and reward research and development for long term gains. 2. Redefine limits to work hours for full time workers encouraging new hires and discouraging overworking current full time workers. Better jobs feed the economic growth.

Submitted by Nancy M. from VT in Economy & Jobs Jan. 14, 2015, 11:28 p.m.

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#2322

14 votes

Free and safeguard the liberal Saudi Raif Badawy, NO MORE LASHES! If world leaders can march arm-in-arm for freedom of speech, they can also step up to Saudi Arabia and negotiate the freedom of Raif Badawy. No excuses. Also vote on Change.org http://www.change.org/p/free-and-safeguard-the-liberal-saudi-raif-badawy-no-600-lashes?recruiter=53426513&utm_campaign=signature_receipt&utm_medium=email&utm_source=share_petition

Submitted by JJ in Civil Rights Jan. 15, 2015, 9:58 p.m.

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#2405

9 votes

Enact a fee on GHG emissions starting at $15 a ton of CO2 or CO2 equivalent steadily by $10 a year until we achieve 90-100% reduction from current levels. Rebate all the fees back to American households on an equitable basis. According to economists this will assure that the bottom two-thirds of Americans will come out equal or ahead of the increased costs. This plan will increase jobs and grow the economy while saving our biosphere.

Submitted by James W. from CA in Environment Jan. 11, 2015, 10:38 p.m.

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#2387

10 votes

We understand that Social Security is a benefit that citizens and employers pay into- it is not free money from the government. Having said that, because we are in a country that encourages free enterprise- a place where you can live the life you want, we should have access to earned funds for a one time, penalty free withdrawal up to $10,000. This will gives citizens the opportunity realize enrichment, education or entrepreneurial pursuits...whatever they wish.

Submitted by GEH in Economy & Jobs Jan. 14, 2015, 12:46 a.m.

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#2487

5 votes

A constitutional amendment to change our two party system to a parliamentary system where greater amount of the populace are represented. Instead of only the Richest people having & corporations having a voice. This would bring more people in to the activities of the Government, stronger turn out at the voting poles, and better choice as to where our monies are spent. Like less military, more Education, and Environmental concerns. Break away from fossil fuels, Green Power Grids, etc....

Submitted by nmtroberts in Government & Elections Jan. 16, 2015, 9:55 a.m.

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#2507

4 votes

Open the current Medicare system to every employed individual as follows; The standard payroll deduction continues and an additional deduction of the current cost to retirees is added to the monthly cost. If the employee has dependents that do not qualify for any other type of health coverage an additional current cost deduction applies for each dependent. The employee also has the option of purchasing a supplemental plan to cover costs not covered by Medicare

Submitted by ACM in Health Jan. 15, 2015, 1:49 p.m.

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#2425

8 votes

This is long term - but should we be thinking now about how to create a "post-jobs" world? One can imagine a time not too far away when automation will do most tasks handled by humans today. We're all so used to money and jobs that it's difficult to imagine anything else. The traditional response to this possibility is: "we'll just create new technologies, new products, and the game will go on as before". I'm not so sure.

Submitted by Bill Knight in Economy & Jobs Jan. 16, 2015, 12:30 a.m.

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#2507

4 votes

Building pipelines thousands of miles through the Rockies & Sierras, etc., to water deserts? Size our communities for reasonably local resources (water, food, building materials, etc.). Develop more habitable places. Relocate businesses & people to them. Make it easy, affordable & energy efficient to VISIT deserts, hurricane coastlands, faultlines, tornado alley, flood zones, etc., but for god's sake don't waste & resources & exacerbate Climate Change fighting nature trying to LIVE in them.

Submitted by Timothy Salt in Infrastructure & Technology Jan. 14, 2015, 10:13 a.m.

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#2444

7 votes

15% Livable Tax instead of minimum wage increase.

Submitted by DFGood in Taxes & Budget Dec. 19, 2014, 8:10 a.m.

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#2405

9 votes

hit the inflation target

Submitted by Daws A. from WA in Economy & Jobs Dec. 27, 2014, 1:37 a.m.

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#2322

14 votes

Put on everybodies pay stub or statement, the amout of their withholding is going to the military..

Submitted by Gary G. from CO in Taxes & Budget Jan. 12, 2015, 4:42 p.m.

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#2444

7 votes

Include teachers in the planning of curriculum. The testing that was developed and the common core that is being pushed was done with Pearson and Gates group with no input from teachers. The smater balanced test is designed to show failure and it has not been validated. Time for teaching not testing.

Submitted by sara E. from OR in Education Jan. 15, 2015, 11:42 p.m.

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#2355

12 votes

RIDE FOR GREEN = SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT, HEALTHY COMMUNITY, HEALTHY ECONOMY, HEALTHY TRANSPORT SYSTEM, HEALTHY EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND THE UTMOST IT PROMOTE PEACE.

Submitted by Jamshed in Society & Community Jan. 14, 2015, 2:39 p.m.

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#2552

2 votes

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