The Big Ideas Project

Submitted by David Fontana, Associate Professor of Law at George Washington University School of Law in Government & Elections Dec. 10, 2014, 2:29 a.m.

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#61

2996 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

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

Merged Idea

A Wall Street sales tax—taxing financial transactions. A modest set of taxes on trades of stock, bonds, and derivatives could raise a vast amount of money—quite possibly more than $1 trillion over a decade. Virtually all the money would come from Wall Street since most people will cut back their trading in proportion to the increase in costs. In addition, a tax would reduce speculation and possible lessen the volatility in financial markets.

Submitted by Dean Baker, Co-Director of the Center for Economic and Policy Research in Taxes & Budget Dec. 10, 2014, 1:36 a.m. 1

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#45

3593 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

Merged Idea

We need to go back to sustainable farming and put an end to Big Ag and large commercial farms that abuse animals and fill them with antibiotics and hormones, feed them pesticide ridden GMO food that contaminates our environment and our bodies!! We need to do away with ALL AG-GAG laws and make workers and corporations who abuse farm animals face strict penalties!

Submitted by Steph Trujillo in Environment Dec. 10, 2014, 3:15 p.m.

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#56

3153 votes

Guaranteed net neutrality. Don't let the cable companies slow down public access so that those with big pockets can pay to speed theirs up

Submitted by Sequoia in Infrastructure & Technology Dec. 10, 2014, 3:19 p.m.

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#49

3338 votes

Merged Idea

Remove non-profit (tax exempt) status for professional sports organizations like the multi-billion dollar per year NFL

Submitted by Robert E. Sojka in Taxes & Budget Dec. 10, 2014, 4:58 p.m.

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#47

3407 votes

Merged Idea

Nationalize all of our resources including water, fossil fuels and minerals. Why should international corporations generate record profits using our resources while saddling the public with externalized costs such as pollution and the destruction of our wildlife and environment? If we are going to allow industry to profit off of our commons then we the people should share in the profits at the very least. Better yet this would de-incentivize many of these destructive practices.

Submitted by buckskin7777 in Environment Dec. 17, 2014, 2:51 p.m. 1

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#75

2721 votes

Stop Militarizing Law Enforcement Act. The bill would place restrictions and transparency measures on the DOD Program that transfers military equipment to state and local law enforcement. The “1033” Program permits military equipment from war zones to be transferred to police departments free of charge. This bill would prevent transfers of equipment inappropriate for policing, end incentives to use the equipment, and require that recipients certify that they can account for all equipment.

Submitted by Rep. Hank Johnson (GA-4) in Foreign Policy & Military Dec. 10, 2014, 2:20 a.m. 1

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#62

2949 votes

It’s time to return the U.S. to a system of debt-free college. Today, most students borrow to pay for college, and average debt has ballooned. Both students of color and low-income students are much more likely to take on debt, betraying our nation’s promise of equal opportunity and upward mobility. This shift to a debt-based system is both recent and radical, but we can return to debt-free college by reforming financial aid and encouraging states to re-invest in their colleges.

Submitted by Mark Huelsman, Senior Policy Analyst at Demos in Education Dec. 10, 2014, 1:11 a.m.

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#55

3155 votes

Any bill that is introduced cannot be written by a lobbyist and can only be written by the bill's sponsor. The bill sponsor cannot take contributions from any corporation or entity that will be affected by the bill.

Submitted by JohnC in Government & Elections Dec. 17, 2014, 3:39 p.m. 3

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#68

2869 votes

Merged Idea

Reign in the Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The FDA works for the drug companies and the USDA works for Monsanto. Appointing corporate insiders and industry friendly politicians to these agencies is leading to the destruction of the health of the nation. Its no different than appointing Wall street insiders to manage the people's money. The revolving door between industry and government must be closed in these two agencies so they can be reformed.

Submitted by charles m. from NC in Health Dec. 10, 2014, 5:17 p.m.

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#68

2869 votes

Hold corporate executives personally responsible both civilly and criminally, for malfeasance, deception or neglect that causes environmental, personal property, or physical harm to communities or persons. Prevent corporations, and their executives, from passing along additional costs incurred by 'accidents', recalls or judgments to rate payers (in the case of public utilities) or shareholders (in the case of publicly traded companies). For example: P.G.& E's San Bruno pipeline explosion.

Submitted by William-Robert S. from CA in Society & Community Dec. 18, 2014, 3:51 a.m.

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#87

2543 votes

Merged Idea

An Unconditional Basic Income Guarantee (UBI) for every U.S. citizen over 18 of $1,000 per month and every citizen under 18 of $300 per month, to be paid for through consolidation of present in-kind benefits better met by cash, and through the closing of loopholes, elimination of subsidies, and increase in top tax rates.

Submitted by Scott Santens, Moderator of /r/basicincome on Reddit and Founder of The BIG Patreon Creator Pledge in Economy & Jobs Dec. 10, 2014, 6:07 p.m. 5

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#83

2617 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

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