The Big Ideas Project

I read an article that the employees of WalMart use 60 Billion in social services per year just to survive. And WalMart isn't alone in this repulsive act against society and taxpayers. I think its time to pass laws that when there is such an abundance of a company's employees using social services that the company have to refund the states and federal government for the services rendered. With a hefty fine attached to each million just to make a point.

Submitted by EIEL in Economy & Jobs Jan. 10, 2015, 4:03 p.m. 1

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#338

673 votes

Require that all toy or replica guns, including pellet guns and air rifles, be colored neon orange, yellow or green to avoid confusion with real weapons by law enforcement or others ...

Submitted by Brian G. from CA in Society & Community Jan. 15, 2015, 11:43 a.m. 1

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#342

667 votes

Foster competition by reducing the length of copyright and patent monopolies. The original purpose of copyright and patent laws was to prevent the government from granting long-running monopolies to numerous private businesses. This purpose has been subverted, resulting in both higher prices and less competition and innovation. To fix this, reduce the time period of these awards (and items that are subject to them) to what they were during the time period that our country's founders were alive.

Submitted by Steve Silberstein, Executive Producer of Inequality for All in Economy & Jobs Dec. 10, 2014, 1:27 a.m.

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#343

664 votes

Eliminate foreign ownership of our farmlands. China now grows food in the United States and ships it back to China. WE should be using our farm products FIRST for us, then for others. Take back OUR FARMLAND. Reclaim that from foreigners and that our own builders, particularly in the midwest, have built over.

Submitted by the answertothegap in Economy & Jobs Dec. 29, 2014, 11:33 a.m.

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#344

655 votes

Mandate any "job creator" benefit requires actual job creation. To enjoy these benefits, number of employees needs to have increased at least 1% year over year, the last two years running. This would be accomplished by proof of legal employees through reporting of social security numbers/work-visa numbers/green card numbers. This would cut down on corporate tax loop hole abuse, actually cause job creation, and increase public coffers by increasing amount paid in taxes w/new jobs.

Submitted by Brian Gorski in Economy & Jobs Jan. 8, 2015, 6:42 a.m.

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#344

655 votes

Require judge involvement in all plea bargains to reduce false guilty pleas. As soon as an indictment is returned, a magistrate would meet separately with the defense and prosecutor and make a non-binding recommendation to dismiss, go to trial, or enter into a particular plea bargain. This would combat the structural advantage that prosecutors currently have, pressuring too many defendants into guilty pleas to avoid a lengthy trial and the risk of a higher sentence.

Submitted by Ethan J. in Civil Rights Jan. 4, 2015, 9:56 a.m.

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#346

652 votes

Pass comprehensive immigration reform including a path to citizenship for the 11 million people who are already here.

Submitted by Professor Dorothy Foster, Coordinator North Georgia Immigrant Justice in Civil Rights Dec. 10, 2014, 1:44 p.m.

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#347

644 votes

We need a television news media that has responsible journalism and that holds politicians accountable. We do not have that in this country anymore. We need a media that is paid for by the people and not influenced by big business interests.

Submitted by Jack D. from WA in Government & Elections Jan. 3, 2015, 7:19 p.m.

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#347

644 votes

Clampdown on carpetbagger politicians. A politician and his family should actually have to establish and live in a primary residence within a state for at least two years before they can run for office in that state. No more letting someone just pick a state (and district) to run in because they like their chances there better than in their own district.

Submitted by Timothy Salt in Government & Elections Jan. 9, 2015, 9:44 a.m.

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#349

642 votes

Make the terms of the TPP public. They are already known to businss, in fact business is helping draft the TPP. And get behind the move to stop "fast tracking" the TPP. If TPP is enacted and infringes our ability to protect our environment, our climate, our local ability to govern ourselves, the U.S. will find itself in a civil insurrection.

Submitted by Dwain in Foreign Policy & Military Jan. 4, 2015, 4:16 p.m.

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#349

642 votes

Do not allow the further erosion of pension rights in the USA. Insist that all pensions be fully-funded. No more pension-smoothing, no more deficits for the PBGC. Pensions are deferred wages.

Submitted by pvs58 in Economy & Jobs Dec. 10, 2014, 1:09 p.m.

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#351

641 votes

A law that protects teachers who report suspected child abuse. Any teacher who suspects child abuse should be able to go above the 'chain of command' to report the abuse without fear of reprisal.

Submitted by Stacy S. from MI in Education Jan. 7, 2015, 6:33 p.m.

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#351

641 votes

If Benito Mussolini and Thomas Jefferson were right . We now live in a Corporate Fascist State. Mussolini, The definition of Fascism is the merger of the corporations and state". Jefferson, "The end of democracy and the defeat of the American Revolution WILL occur when the government falls into the hands of the moneyed incorporations and lending institutions. Time to make voting day a national holiday, outlaw jerrymandering and repeal Citizens United!

Submitted by Railroadmike in Government & Elections Jan. 3, 2015, 10:09 p.m.

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#353

640 votes

Congress should not block President Obama's great step forward to normalize relations with Cuba. The whole world sees this as a (refreshing) positive move by the US, except for the backwards looking Republicans and their pseudo-Nazi, Floridian cohorts.

Submitted by Tara T. from CA in Foreign Policy & Military Dec. 18, 2014, 8:41 p.m.

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#354

638 votes

As a massive infrastructure project set a goal so that within 20 years the water entering the Gulf of Mexico will be pollution free. This will reverse the "dead zone" existing at the mouth of the Mississippi bringing back the fishing industry in the Gulf.

Submitted by 20 in 20 in Environment Dec. 10, 2014, 4:30 p.m.

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#354

638 votes

Merged Idea

Push the minimum wage to a level that will allow worker to be able to survive comfortably. Probably somewhere in the $15 to $20 range.

Submitted by John W. from ME in Economy & Jobs Nov. 17, 2014, 2:02 a.m.

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#356

636 votes

Criminalize corporate looting.

Submitted by hawnjigs in Society & Community Dec. 9, 2014, 8:45 a.m.

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#357

634 votes

If someone believes a corporation is a person then hold that person accountable for personal income tax. Get rid of Corporate Welfare and tax breaks. If a corporation cannot survive without taxpayer funding, they simply are not managed properly. Helping small business is great, but once they reach a level of profit they should then be declared “self-sufficient” and the taxpayer funded Corporate Welfare checks should stop

Submitted by Rick E. from WA in Taxes & Budget Jan. 14, 2015, 11:07 a.m.

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#357

634 votes

How about helping those who have sacrificed so much to help us? Translators who have aided the U.S. Military in Afghanistan and Iraq are in great danger in their home countries, but red tape is making it impossible for many of them to leave.

Submitted by Ian C. from CO in Foreign Policy & Military Dec. 9, 2014, 2:46 a.m.

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#359

633 votes

Corporations should be penalized for exporting existing jobs and An increased import tariff for products that once made in this country that would equal the cost of the product to be doubled the cost if made in this country. Corporate funds hidden in off shore banks should be triple taxed. This is, after all stolen tax dollars.

Submitted by John B. from TX in Environment Jan. 4, 2015, 6:58 p.m.

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#360

632 votes

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