The Big Ideas Project

pass comprehensive immigration reform as outlined in the Senate bill. That is already on file. While this process is worked out. Have an immediate law allowing for 1 year work permits and ability to apply for drivers license to all on documented in this country who meet the criteria under the previous Senate bill. Set a timeline of 6 months for the comprehensive immigration bill to be worked out with a fair and well-defined pathway to citizenship a so that the undocumented may purchase Insurance

Submitted by Gary in Civil Rights Jan. 3, 2015, 6:37 p.m.

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#620

299 votes

Close Gitmo and find ways of allowing those being held to return to their homes after fair and just trials (not military tribunals).

Submitted by Karen L. Lew in Foreign Policy & Military Dec. 10, 2014, 8:39 p.m.

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#620

299 votes

Create a government bank which will make small loans to build up credit for those without and issue debit cards to be used instead of payday loans and check cashing establishments. The loans would be for say $300 which would go into a savings account (and could not be withdrawn for a year) and the monthly repayment of $25 would help people gain a credit rating. The debit cards would be refilled with paychecks eliminating the high fees etc of payday loans and check cashing.

Submitted by Michael Lissack in Economy & Jobs Dec. 10, 2014, 2:17 p.m.

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#620

299 votes

make sure the veterans who come home from war get jobs, mental health services, retraining if needed. Our veterans sacrificed their lives for us, we need to assure they come home to an accepting community/country.

Submitted by Social worker in Economy & Jobs Dec. 11, 2014, 8:51 a.m.

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#624

298 votes

Require every police officer wear a camera. Require every officer be suspended without pay for 1-12 weeks for not operating their body and vehicle cameras. Require ever police chief be suspended without pay each time an officer is suspended for a camera violation.

Submitted by Timothy Salt in Civil Rights Dec. 26, 2014, 3:11 p.m.

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#624

298 votes

Hold Israel responsible for its failure to seek a peace settlement with the Palestinians. Implement trade sanctions on the same level as those in place against Iran until Israel removes the illegal "settlements" on Palestinian lands.

Submitted by John Z. from HI in Foreign Policy & Military Dec. 11, 2014, 1:35 p.m.

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#626

297 votes

Accountability in Legislation. Every portion of a bill must have at least one Legislator's fingerprint on it so voters can trace from whence it came; i.e., FDIC insurance backing up Big Banks' riskiest investments and increasing campaign contribution limits in the Cromnibus bill.

Submitted by Jeanne L. from WI in Government & Elections Jan. 3, 2015, 8:03 p.m.

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#627

296 votes

Stop tax exempt for churches sports and any other group. The NFL makes billions they should be paying taxes. At one time Churches were very poor. But you have Churches making millions.

Submitted by Gerrie Kallio in Taxes & Budget Dec. 10, 2014, 3:14 p.m.

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#627

296 votes

More funding for the arts.

Submitted by Arthur L. from IL in Society & Community Nov. 16, 2014, 1:18 p.m.

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#629

294 votes

Revoke the charters of banks that commit grossly negligent criminal activities.

Submitted by Gnomic in Society & Community Jan. 3, 2015, 8:22 p.m.

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#629

294 votes

Mandate that appointments made to head government agencies, FDA, EPA, USDA, Dept of Interior, etc., are people who are qualified and have demonstrated capability to act in the public' interest and have no conflicts of interest with the industries being regulated.

Submitted by MA in Government & Elections Jan. 9, 2015, 10:42 a.m.

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#629

294 votes

There are 100,000,000 million Americans that suffer from chronic pain yet the powers that be are more concerned about drug abusers than the people that are suffering. Somehow we must make lifesaving opioid medication available for those people in pain instead of concerning ourselves with out of control people.

Submitted by LouisVA in Health Jan. 14, 2015, 3:36 p.m.

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#632

293 votes

If corporations are legally defined as "people", then they should be taxed at the same tax rate as "people". Tax reform for big business would curb a huge amount of the social and economic stagnation in this country. Hard-working individuals and families would have a chance to make fair and livable wages. Upsurge minimum wage across the board, and our economy will strengthen. In its current state, it's the albatross around all of our necks. Reform is holistic, not singular.

Submitted by StacyG in Taxes & Budget Dec. 10, 2014, 4:26 p.m.

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#632

293 votes

Stop cutting the Arts from school curriculums! Participation in creative activities is beneficial in many ways and will enrich a person throughout a lifetime. Put emphasis on the Arts and decrease the emphasis on sports.

Submitted by Judith Mitchell in Education Dec. 19, 2014, 12:16 a.m.

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#634

292 votes

Create mandatory offender registry for animal abusers. Database should include individual citizens as well as agricultural practices such as those offenders caught in recent dairy and pig farm exposes. Strengthen existing laws on animal abuse and neglect to include mandatory sentencing. Prohibit further contact with or ownership of animals for known offenders.

Submitted by Wendy Chrisman in Environment Dec. 13, 2014, 9:47 a.m. 2

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#634

292 votes

Review how "part time" is legislated: FICA should be collected on an hourly basis, not on full time versus part time. If Walmart had to pay *per hour* into FICA, they could not be des-incentivised to provide full time positions, we might have less part-time employees that don't make enough money to live. These folks should accrue social Security benefits even if they work part time.

Submitted by ELICEC in Taxes & Budget Dec. 10, 2014, 5:55 p.m.

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#634

292 votes

Any business that has moved itself to a foreign country shall be denied access to our court system.

Submitted by bettysdad in Economy & Jobs Jan. 4, 2015, 5:44 p.m.

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#637

291 votes

$10 limit on all political giving. Period. Private individual, corporation, doesn't matter, no more than $10 to any single candidate or party organization. Tax exempt organizations may not make political contributions of any kind.

Submitted by Steve W. from CO in Government & Elections Dec. 9, 2014, 6:51 a.m.

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#637

291 votes

Stronger protection for our oceans. Prohibit Navy sonar testing and other testing that harms whales, dolphins, and other sea life.

Submitted by MGG in Environment Dec. 18, 2014, 9:25 p.m.

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#637

291 votes

Reinstate the progressive tax code of the 1950s and 1960s to slow income inequality, to provide a strong social safety net, to support quality, low cost public education, and to repair the infrastructure. Individuals and corporations use the public infrastructure to make money. Without investment, the public infrastructure decays. Taxes are the one way to make sure profits are reinvested in the US and not other countries. Taxes - made in America, stay in America, pay for America.

Submitted by KH in Taxes & Budget Dec. 10, 2014, 8:09 p.m.

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#640

290 votes

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