The Big Ideas Project

Oil prices are at a 15 year low and now is the time to put a sliding-scale tariff on imported oil to ensure its end price stays at a level beneficial to us [$100/ bbl? ]. The lower it goes, the more it undercuts the cost/price of renewable energy. OPEC no longer controls the price of oil in the USA. Tax of domestic oil also should be taxed at a level to keep its price at a target level.

Submitted by Gary Paul in Taxes & Budget Dec. 10, 2014, 11:43 p.m.

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#2056

36 votes

Classify energy production as a national security industry and require all U.S. producers to provide First Nations purchasing status such that they must sell as much fossil fuel as the U.S. requests at the median price on the international market.

Submitted by Timothy Salt in Economy & Jobs Dec. 16, 2014, 2:52 p.m.

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#2056

36 votes

Pass a bill to allow the Federal Reserve to purchase 20% of all credit card debt across the board and cancel it.

Submitted by Joe in Economy & Jobs Dec. 18, 2014, 11:42 p.m.

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#2056

36 votes

We have a poverty crisis. Not everyone can work (health, etc.) and there aren't jobs for all who urgently need one. Millions of low wage workers are on a tightrope with no safety net below. You can't get a job once you no longer have a home address, phone, bus fare. Because Americans are unwilling to help these fellow citizens, I would urge legislators to consider making it possible for those in foreign countries to provide help for our homeless, our ill, those in deep need of aid.

Submitted by DHFabian in Economy & Jobs Dec. 11, 2014, 10:58 p.m.

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#2056

36 votes

Lets just once take the Bill of Rights serous. If we just abide by the LAW of the Land most of the problems we see today will disappear. Its amazing how the Bill of Rights is ignored automatically. Lets all be good citizens and be honest with each other! James Erroll Crawford Minister of New Life Services

Submitted by James Crawford in Civil Rights Dec. 26, 2014, 1:36 p.m.

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#2056

36 votes

Make it more difficult to assess risk individually by making certain pools of risk mandatory...The idea is to make sure risk is shared more by the whole, less by communities of people who were abandoned. Car insurance should be about equal in most communities.

Submitted by just mitch in Civil Rights Jan. 4, 2015, 2:01 p.m.

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#2056

36 votes

Make the army an "open-door" hirer. Anyone who wants a job can join the army. Include in the Army's missions; disaster response and preparedness, civil engineering, habitat/environment restoration.

Submitted by John Norton in Foreign Policy & Military Dec. 18, 2014, 2:59 a.m.

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#2056

36 votes

A card, much like a credit card in that it is linked to a bank account. This card would offer rewards and the reward would be Universal Health Care, either using the system they use now for air miles, cash back, etc., or perhaps a self imposed tax on purchases using this card. A set percentage of any transaction would be taxed at such a percentage as related to the level of care. Personally I would pay 5 cents for every dollar if I knew that I would have universal care. Card also has med info.

Submitted by Myster P B in Health Dec. 19, 2014, 11:47 p.m.

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#2056

36 votes

The nation as a whole benefits from a better educated population. We must do all we can to promote educational excellence at every level. Therefore I propose that a program be started by the govt to purchase and forgive all private or govt education loans taken for any kind of post secondary study or training, not just college. Then each person receiving such help shall have a 2% surcharge on their taxable income each year until the principle is paid back. This way the money currently being paid

Submitted by Larry W in Education Dec. 12, 2014, 7:51 p.m.

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#2056

36 votes

Implement proportional representation, now.

Submitted by Robert Ruiz in Government & Elections Jan. 4, 2015, 4:44 p.m.

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#2056

36 votes

Teach everyone how to be assertive, rather than supporting the traditional teachings of passive or aggressive behaviors. Assertive behavior is based on respect for both oneself and others, where both passive and aggressive behaviors are based on disrespect.

Submitted by dovelane in Society & Community Dec. 19, 2014, 8:31 a.m.

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#2071

35 votes

Institute a Corporate Alternative Minimum Tax.

Submitted by Barry K. from NY in Taxes & Budget Dec. 11, 2014, 4:33 p.m.

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#2071

35 votes

Producing your own solar electricity could be a new hobby for retired people. They can be low voltage on the ground.

Submitted by steven s. from HI in Environment Jan. 8, 2015, 3:49 p.m.

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#2071

35 votes

The Alternative Min. Tax (AMT) schedule for individuals is currently: $51.9K exempt. 26% thereafter to $179.5K, then 28%. Varies for married -joint, married-separate, trust and corp. Increase exempt to $75K, add 30% a $500K, 31% at $1M, +1% per $1M thereafter to 50% @ $20M, then $2% per $10M to 70% @ $120M. 85% at $1B. Marginal tax rates.

Submitted by Timothy Salt in Taxes & Budget Dec. 16, 2014, 12:34 p.m.

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#2071

35 votes

Do away with Capitalism -- It's killing our planet

Submitted by Betheiam in Economy & Jobs Dec. 19, 2014, 4:19 a.m.

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#2071

35 votes

Eliminate the social security spousal benefit ( 50%) for non working partner. This is an unfunded benefit that only the rich collect.

Submitted by f n. from NY in Taxes & Budget Dec. 10, 2014, 5:26 p.m.

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#2071

35 votes

Support tax abatements and interest free (current fed rate) loans for companies that expand their workforces. Get off the job killing stuff. When you legislate always as the question - will this increase the cost of employment? or decrease it? Put some teeth behind your commitment to the working men and women of this country. Employment cannot grow if companies cannot grow

Submitted by Jobs Dude in Economy & Jobs Dec. 17, 2014, 1:23 p.m.

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#2071

35 votes

Pressure the President to mint a $100 Trillion 1 oz. proof platinum coin, have it deposited at the Federal Reserve, and use the proceeds to pay off the debt subject to the limit as it falls due and cover deficit spending appropriations for the foreseeable future. This action will destroy the primary political justification for opposition to progressive economic programs.

Submitted by Joe Firestone in Taxes & Budget Dec. 10, 2014, 7:14 p.m.

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#2071

35 votes

Require the President and Congress to take a 20% pay cut whenever we have bombed anyone anywhere by any means within the previous week.

Submitted by Timothy Salt in Taxes & Budget Dec. 29, 2014, 2:11 p.m.

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#2071

35 votes

A True Hero ; USMC General Smedley Butler a 2 time Congressional Medal Of Honer Recipient wrote " War Is A Racket " it always has been ! Tell Americans to End The Middle East Racket Of War NOW !!!!

Submitted by yes in Foreign Policy & Military Jan. 12, 2015, 5:28 p.m.

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#2071

35 votes

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