The Big Ideas Project

Cut the salaries of the top college administrators and other frills and give the students a serious brake with their escalating tuition etc. fees. They are graduating with too much debt and many don't even get jobs for months.

Submitted by Harlan P. from CA in Education Nov. 25, 2014, 12:12 a.m.

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#780

220 votes

Card check. We need to make it easier to join Organized Labor.

Submitted by Fred K. from IN in Economy & Jobs Nov. 16, 2014, 5:02 p.m.

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#780

220 votes

Start teaching foreign languages in kindergarten through high school. We have a global economy and not everyone speaks English. Two benefits from this, first, it will help in learning English grammar and composition as the child progresses through school and second, fluency in foreign language is a marketable skill and you cannot have too many skills.

Submitted by David W. from AZ in Education Dec. 18, 2014, 8:56 p.m.

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#783

219 votes

Shut the door on politicians bleeding back and forth between Government and Corporations -- and politicians not taking the word -- testimony -- of Experts who tout what's in the best Interest of Government while making substantial profits on those very same Interests

Submitted by gary w. in Government & Elections Jan. 4, 2015, 5:01 p.m.

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#783

219 votes

change or make laws that prohibit media outlets like fox news from reporting false info and using scare tactics to further one party's (rep) agenda......news should be: impartial, factual, unbiased

Submitted by diane b. from NC in Society & Community Dec. 11, 2014, 8:29 a.m.

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#783

219 votes

Provide Federal Income Tax breaks for public school teachers. Either exempt their income from Federal taxation or provide teachers with a substantial tax credit. Public school teachers can, in many cases, not afford to live in the communities where they serve and teach. The federal tax break provides a way for the Federal Government to help pay teachers a living wage.

Submitted by William M. from DC in Education Dec. 10, 2014, 12:20 p.m.

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#786

218 votes

CEOs used to be banned from owning stock in their own corporations; re-institute the ban. It is a conflict of interest for the CEO to own stock because he then only cares about shareholders like himself rather than the good of the company and uses profits to buy more stock rather than raise wages and invest in research and development

Submitted by atchelka in Economy & Jobs Dec. 10, 2014, 5:05 p.m.

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#786

218 votes

Stop cities, counties and states from including pensions in a bankruptcy action. These retirees did their jobs, put in their time and should be able to depend on their retirement fund to live.

Submitted by Rosemarie A. in Economy & Jobs Dec. 11, 2014, 2:33 p.m.

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#786

218 votes

Air pollution is a contributor to respiratory issues among the most susceptible populations - the elderly, the young, the chronically ill - and emissions from coal and power plants are the top contributors. These corporations should be charged environmental taxes to help curb additional pollutants in our atmosphere. It's time to rethink our energy supply, and we have a limited opportunity before the window closes.

Submitted by StacyG in Environment Dec. 10, 2014, 4:35 p.m.

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#786

218 votes

Outlaw “Too Big to Fail” and establish a contingency/depositary account that would seize all assets of any bank that chooses to involve itself in risky operations that result in failure and/or collapse. The seized assets would be redistributed to the Federal Reserve and used for national needs such infrastructure, national defense, social security, Medicare, ACA etc.

Submitted by Jed Grover in Uncategorized Dec. 24, 2014, 11:56 a.m.

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#786

218 votes

Government contractors must convert their buildings to solar power. The building must be 50% converted by the end of the contract. By 2025 all contractors must be 100% solar powered.

Submitted by Trev in Environment Dec. 10, 2014, 10:44 a.m.

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#791

217 votes

The cost of living increases calculation used by the government to decide SSA benefit increases needs to include ALL increases in cost of living -- including food and fuel which are essential.

Submitted by SueZbell in Economy & Jobs Dec. 26, 2014, 11:01 p.m.

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#791

217 votes

How's about making a statute that members of Congress and their staffers cannot become lobbyists in order to peddle their influence and connections for a period of ten years after leaving or being voted out of Congress.

Submitted by medtechcarl in Government & Elections Dec. 19, 2014, 10:02 p.m.

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#791

217 votes

Limit taxation on social security and retirement account withdrawals for individuals over 65 with total income under $60,000 & eliminate taxation for those with income under $40,000.

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

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#791

217 votes

Not only should civics be reinstated in high school as a requirement for graduation, but any person running for office in the US should be required to pass a civics test before consideration. If new American citizens are required to pass a civics test before they are allowed to become citizens, then elected officials should equally demonstrate their knowledge of the workings of our democracy.

Submitted by Alina V. from FL in Government & Elections Dec. 26, 2014, 2:05 p.m.

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#795

216 votes

Regulate lobbying. Most lobbyists have too much influence on Congress. Meanwhile, the American public doesn't have similar "representation." Limit rewards/perks that lobbyists can use to influence our representatives' decisions.

Submitted by Robin Zeplin in Government & Elections Dec. 10, 2014, 6 p.m.

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#795

216 votes

According to the United States Supreme Court, money is free speech and corporations are people, too. Corporate personhood is sanctified and guaranteed by the current Supreme Court insofar as how SCOTUS interprets the First Amendment. Two recommendations come to mind. Elections need to be publicly financed. Also, there should be a constitutional amendment which bans money in politics and that means amending the First Amendment so that money is not free speech.

Submitted by Craig T. from FL in Government & Elections Dec. 10, 2014, 7:09 p.m.

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#795

216 votes

Make House of Representative elections every 4 years on the same dates as presidential elections to 1) increase voter turn out and 2) allow them more time working on issues important to their constituents as opposed to campaigning.

Submitted by Rodney in Government & Elections Dec. 10, 2014, 1:34 p.m.

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#798

215 votes

In every trial where the person accused has minor children, appoint a child advocate to help in sentencing. Parents who won't be hurting their children belong at home (perhaps with a bracelet on their leg) with their children. When parents go to jail/prison, the children do time right along with them.

Submitted by yes in Civil Rights Dec. 10, 2014, 3:15 p.m.

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#798

215 votes

If Corporations not longer wish to pay taxes in the U.S., either through tax inversions or off shore shell accounts, instead, when they go global they have to declare to whom they will be paying taxes to. It's okay if they choose not to be an American Corporation. But that is where the corporate welfare ends. Let's take the corporate tax payer funded largesse, and invest it in the re birth of American Middle Class, by investing in companies that stay in the U.S., and pay their taxes proudly.

Submitted by Bridget J. from CT in Economy & Jobs Dec. 10, 2014, 3:31 p.m.

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#798

215 votes

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