The Big Ideas Project

Manufacturers of assault rifles and guns should pay the price of gun related deaths by contributing to the fund for policing services and equipment to control the unlawful use of such. r.Arms dealers should be required by law to sell insurance , as is required when you drive a vehicle. Yearly registration ad license for owning a firearm; graded by type, as an automobile.

Submitted by Christna C. from CA in Health Dec. 21, 2014, 9:54 p.m.

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#999

160 votes

educate the public about the true nature of macroeconomics. it's ok to use deficit spending in a recession/depression. government spending increases jobs and govt revenue. there will never be a better time (lower interest rates) than now to invest in infrastructure, R&D, education. the conservative argument that "we can't afford it" and "there's just so much money" trumps all in the public mind. we must show that the argument is wrong. democracy is threatened by an ignorant public/

Submitted by Marybeth in Economy & Jobs Dec. 10, 2014, 1:25 p.m.

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#999

160 votes

Reform of K-12 to make schools a productive and rewarding experience by curricula that focuses on teaching the strategies needed to learn.

Submitted by Lora Shapiro in Education Nov. 18, 2014, 3:58 p.m.

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#1003

159 votes

Stop global warming!

Submitted by Herbert S. from NY in Environment Dec. 10, 2014, 2:49 p.m.

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#1003

159 votes

Pre-school, being essential, is every child's right, not to be reserved for those whose parents are well paid. Universal public pre-school would be an economic boon, saving untold wasted resources now being lost. People who have been failed by their own culture, are now costing us in poor outcomes like unemployment, drug epidemics, and pointless imprisonment. Education saves lives as well as saving money.

Submitted by Wren in Education Dec. 12, 2014, 10:23 p.m.

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#1003

159 votes

We should be able to send ballets to all citizens by mail, instead of standing in long lines on election day.

Submitted by Toby in Government & Elections Dec. 10, 2014, 1:17 p.m.

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#1003

159 votes

REQUIRE annual or semi-annual PERFORMANCE AND ETHICS AUDITS of ALL GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS, particularly DEFENSE BLACK BUDGET and TAX SUBSIDIES. REQUIRE clear, objectively quantifiable minimal goals for all defense programs and contracts. REQUIRE PERFORMANCE BONDS be made by ALL government contractors on ALL government contracts, particularly defense and computer spending. Require government contractors to meet time and performance requirements on projects so the US PUBLIC is protected.

Submitted by Christopher M. Vanderwall-Brown in Taxes & Budget Jan. 11, 2015, 12:30 a.m.

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#1003

159 votes

Overseas, combine service posts and close redundant bases, small example Do we really need a separate base for every branch of our military on Guam. Consolidate and close the remaining bases, We wold still have our people there, just not as many..

Submitted by GlennB in Foreign Policy & Military Dec. 10, 2014, 4:09 p.m.

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#1008

158 votes

Set goals and make government money available to make America solar and wind independent, We do not invest enough into alternative sources of energy and support oil and coal too much.

Submitted by Kris-Progressive in Environment Dec. 17, 2014, 3:13 p.m.

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#1008

158 votes

Mandate that any Congressperson facing or convicted of legal charges loses their seat to the other party IMMEDIATELY.This would prevent any more Mike Grim scenarios.

Submitted by Jim B. from ME in Government & Elections Jan. 4, 2015, 2:08 p.m.

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#1008

158 votes

Federal Gov't should initiate a huge program to expand employee ownership of businesses. If needed, make long term fixed rate loans available to worthy employees (15 yr, fixed rate 1.5% -- same as rich corn farmers pay for loans to build grain bins). Firms must pass muster with sound business plans and have a good track record. [Campaigns to raise the minimum wage won't meet the needs of workers and families.]

Submitted by Rolfe L. from MN in Economy & Jobs Dec. 26, 2014, 3:41 p.m.

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#1008

158 votes

The "Independent Party" members outnumber both the Republicans and Democrats combined in the United States, yet they are deprived the "right" to vote in our State's Primary and mid-term Elections because only the Republican and Democratic candidates can be on the ballots. That needs to change nationally to include all voters in EVERY election. The present system is totally Non-Democratic! The Republicans love it!

Submitted by thecatlady in Government & Elections Jan. 6, 2015, 10:35 p.m.

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#1008

158 votes

Support the creation of worker owned cooperatives and encouraging privately held corporations and businesses to sell to their employees via an worker owned cooperative or an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)

Submitted by Dick Peterson in Economy & Jobs Dec. 13, 2014, 5:49 p.m. 1

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#1013

157 votes

Make it mandatory that all gun manufacturers are required to put a finger print sensory on the trigger of the manufactured guns, so that we have less casualties.

Submitted by Patricia S. from PA in Society & Community Dec. 9, 2014, 8:12 p.m.

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#1013

157 votes

PROMOTE PEACE AND JUSTICE Support UN recognition of Palestine as a member state.

Submitted by john w. from MA in Foreign Policy & Military Dec. 10, 2014, 6:53 p.m.

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#1013

157 votes

Provide FREE fruits and vegetables to ALL Americans. Our citizens should not go hungry when our farms grow enough to feed everyone. Utilize a portion of the funds from the food stamp program to make this happen. The produce should come from local/regional farms and the US military/postal system could transport the produce to accessible locations for all.

Submitted by D. Hernandez in Health Jan. 10, 2015, 4:03 p.m.

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#1016

156 votes

Intensive campaign to overturn Citizens United. Almost everyone (even most Republicans) should be outraged by the way a small number of corporate CEOs and zillionaires bought the 2014 elections for their own interests -- which are against just about everyone else's. Push _all_ voters to call their legislators and say "unless you show concern for my interests by making every effort to pass a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United, I will vote against you in every future election".

Submitted by Dave Anderson in Government & Elections Jan. 2, 2015, 10:48 a.m.

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#1016

156 votes

No organization should be tax exempt if the CEO akes more than 5% of overall profits and if the organization puts less than 80% of its profits towards its purpose. The American Red Cross and St. Jude's both manage to do this. All tax exempt nonprofit should be required to follow these guide lines. Jerry Sandusky made $350,000 a year. His #2 made $250,000, in one small corner of Pennsylvania. How is that NONprofit? 80% or better toward the goal of the organizationp.

Submitted by izzibo in Taxes & Budget Dec. 10, 2014, 8:40 p.m.

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#1016

156 votes

A long time ago, what is now England required property owners to pay a hefty tax before they were allowed to cut down healthy trees. We need to return to that idea.

Submitted by Bramble in Environment Dec. 9, 2014, 8:28 a.m.

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#1019

155 votes

Require meaningful independent testing of gmo foods and animal feed, and of the herbicides and pesticides which are used in high doses in genetically modified farming practices.

Submitted by Susan E. from NY in Health Dec. 19, 2014, 9:17 a.m.

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#1019

155 votes

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