The Big Ideas Project

Pass a bill that: Require a national draft for a citizens army to fight the war. Requires family members of congress to be first in line in the draft. Increase the tax rate to pay for not only the war but the vets to get decent health care after their service. During wars, suspend all payments to CEO and Senior managers of the military industrial complex Watch how many wars we fight then.

Submitted by Grrreeggggg in Foreign Policy & Military Dec. 11, 2014, 7:44 p.m.

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#1298

110 votes

Reinstate the selective service system. Citizen soldiers are less likely to fire on unarmed civilians than a professional military. Expand the system to include non-military options of public service. make all people that complete their service eligible for a free college education at a state university. Exclude predatory for profit colleges from participation.

Submitted by Michael Parry in Foreign Policy & Military Dec. 19, 2014, 8:46 a.m.

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#1319

108 votes

Abolish the CIA. They admit that they lie to the Federal Government, and therefore anything they say is suspect. For the money they spend our government can get better quality information. Our nation does not need to have on our national payroll thugs that behave in unspeakably vile and savage ways.

Submitted by Gloria R. from VA in Foreign Policy & Military Dec. 19, 2014, 4:11 a.m.

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#1354

103 votes

Freeze the pentagon budget until the federal budget is balanced.

Submitted by Rohit K. from VA in Foreign Policy & Military Jan. 4, 2015, 11:57 p.m.

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#1402

95 votes

Force a vote on military action in the Middle East. We need to prohibit ground troops in Syria and put time limitations on the use of force requiring reauthorizations.

Submitted by MC in Foreign Policy & Military Dec. 19, 2014, 1:06 a.m.

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#1402

95 votes

Reform the WTO and revise free trade agreements to reflect our priorities. To respond to climate change and grow the middle class, we will have to create resilient communities with strong local economies. Policies that encourage sustainable energy and agriculture, such as buy local provisions in RPS policies and environmental standards for imports, should be exempt from lawsuits through the WTO. Any new trade agreements, such as the TPP or TTIP, should include these same provisions,

Submitted by Zach N. in Foreign Policy & Military Dec. 11, 2014, 2:32 p.m.

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#1412

94 votes

Reinstate the Selective Service System with the provision that all members of Congress and the Executive Branch have a family member serving in the Armed Forces.

Submitted by Turfcleaner in Foreign Policy & Military Dec. 10, 2014, 8:01 p.m.

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#1456

90 votes

If war is declared, the children and grandchildren of the members of Congress as well as the children and grandchildren of the board of directors of any corporation that profits from the war, be it gun maker, tank maker, jet maker, or bank, shall be drafted and put on the FRONT Lines. I guarantee ther will be fewer wars.

Submitted by William S. from AL in Foreign Policy & Military Dec. 26, 2014, 7:23 p.m.

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#1463

89 votes

We need to be taking care of the men and women that are coming home, FIRST! Before sending more troops overseas. Stop treating our Vets like 2nd class citizens and treat them like the like the people that dedicated and risked their lives to protect the USA. We as USA citizens. Shouldn't have to start 3rd party companies. To help take care of the Vets that are ignored and pushed on the back burner. By the VA! Take care of the soldiers we have NOW! Before creating new ones and putting more at risk

Submitted by jennkim2013 in Foreign Policy & Military Jan. 5, 2015, 6:27 p.m.

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#1486

86 votes

Streamline VA by providing “TRI-CARE” to every Veteran who has served in any of the Armed Forces and been Honorably Discharged.

Submitted by Gary H. from MI in Foreign Policy & Military Dec. 19, 2014, 12:44 a.m.

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#1516

82 votes

Between now and the 2018 Federal FY Budget Cycle, require the Pentagon to completely review all its Commands, programs, equipment, etc. for redundancy, usefulness and out-datedness, Taking measures to decommission, consolidate and revise as soon as possible. All purchases thereafter shall be made on the market and not through 'Special Contracts' wherever possible.

Submitted by Cheryl O. from FL in Foreign Policy & Military Dec. 18, 2014, 8:15 p.m.

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#1516

82 votes

The US was founded as a light for the people and for progress, and OPPOSED to the predatory, belligerent colonial nations of the time. We have FORGOTTEN that, and our worst time has been since World War II, funding colonial interests in Vietnam etc., and always FIGHTING. WHO makes us do this? Congress must 1) state its TOP goal is finding who does this to us, and 2) make clear that we are ON THE SIDE OF the poor third world around us, and will focus more on diplomacy & friendship than war.

Submitted by Hugh F. from MA in Foreign Policy & Military Dec. 29, 2014, 10:35 a.m.

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#1528

80 votes

Evef since WWII this country has given away billions of dollars in foreign aid. If the Congress is looking for ways to cut the budget, this is a prime area to do so. The American taxpayer deserves to know which nations receive this aid; for what purpose; how it is used; how much is wasted; and which govt. dept. or individual doles out our hard earned $$$. Let's shed some sunshine on this secretive boondoggle!!

Submitted by Ron H. from CA in Foreign Policy & Military Dec. 18, 2014, 5:02 p.m.

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#1537

79 votes

End the support of the illegitimate Ukrainian government that was installed by neo-Nazis by a coup d'état in violation of that democracy's constitution. This government is conducting war on the people of the Donetsk and Luhgansk regions, who want no part in the celebration of Nazi collaborators or in suppression of their civil rights. Washington has supported the illegal coup and the subsequent Ukrainian government's waging war on the people it claims to be its own citizens.

Submitted by Lone Maquis in Foreign Policy & Military Dec. 10, 2014, 8:43 p.m.

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#1537

79 votes

Enact a military personnel pay raise- that is scaled INVERSELY to the RANK of the member. For example, newest inductees through E5 get a 7% kick. E6 through top E grade, 4%. O1 through O5, 3%. Brass above O5 all the way to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, 1%.

Submitted by kenforst in Foreign Policy & Military Jan. 4, 2015, 8:46 a.m.

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#1574

75 votes

Design and promote a peaceful, demilitarized foreign policy that respects human rights and the health of the planet.

Submitted by Lucille L. from MA in Foreign Policy & Military Dec. 20, 2014, 5:48 p.m.

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#1574

75 votes

Amend the constitution to read: IF A CHILD IS BORN OF LEGAL IMMIGRANTS, THEN THEY ARE GIVEN CITIZENSHIP WHEN BORN HERE,. ONLY THEN.... NO MORE ANCHOR BABIES...THIS WILL ELIMINATE THE PROBLEM WITHIN TEN YEARS, THAT WE HAVE NOW. WE ARE THE ONLY COUNTRY THAT HAS THIS STIPULATION, IT IS A WAY OF CLOSING THE BOARDERS WITHOUT FORCE.

Submitted by ome in Foreign Policy & Military Dec. 18, 2014, 11:06 p.m.

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#1605

72 votes

Rewrite Title 38, which governs the actions of the VA and include a bill of rights clause, placing standards and timelines for the adjudication of claims. Revise the system so that veterans can have legal assistance at any point during the adjudication process. If timelines are not met then veterans should be able to have their claims moved to federal appeals court.

Submitted by George K. from IN in Foreign Policy & Military Jan. 4, 2015, 8:55 p.m.

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#1605

72 votes

An explicit program to stop our eternal war machine is the first step. We must close the CIA and NSA. We must shift from support of corporations and individuals seeking unjust profits abroad to a program of genuine care for those in need worldwide.

Submitted by Betty M. from AZ in Foreign Policy & Military Dec. 18, 2014, 11:01 a.m.

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#1624

71 votes

Barter or sell all foreign military bases. Replace our world-wide military with a home defense force similar to the National Guard, trained and equipped for construction and disaster relief as well as combat.

Submitted by Peter in Foreign Policy & Military Dec. 26, 2014, 12:17 p.m.

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#1624

71 votes

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