The Big Ideas Project

Hold all primary elections, congressional elections . etc. on the same day. All states should have equal importance. West coast does not even need to vote after we know the results of the 5 or so predetermined "swing states." to do otherwise is non-democratic. In this regard, the emerging third world democratic countries are more democratic than we are!

Submitted by thecatlady in Government & Elections Jan. 6, 2015, 10:12 p.m.

Tweet Share

#1096

141 votes

Ensure the stability of Social Security by creating a doughnut between today's current maximum and $250,000 and reinstate FICA for both individuals and companies at the $250,000 salary and remove the cap entirely. Index both the current max and the doughnut hole to the cost of inflation

Submitted by John Belbute in Taxes & Budget Dec. 10, 2014, 5:09 p.m.

Tweet Share

#1102

140 votes

Compose reasonable gun management laws to protect those innocent citizens threatened by gun violence. Have a waiting period for all potential gun owners of 72 hours so a background check can be made into criminal activity and possible emotional issues. Ban all assault weapons using a clear and workable definition of what is an assault weapon, Do not allow citizens more than 12 bullets in a clip of any semi-automatic gun. Require all who purchase a gun to have education as to how to use a gun..

Submitted by Peace and Justice is Progressive in Health Dec. 19, 2014, 7:07 a.m.

Tweet Share

#1102

140 votes

Require any Federal politician voting to send American Troops to war who has not already SERVED IN COMBAT, immediately be drafted to serve in the combat zone they voted for OR send one of their age-eligible offspring to serve instead. Any politician refusing such a condition will not be allowed to cast a vote for war or limited conflicts by any other name.

Submitted by Robert E. Sojka in Foreign Policy & Military Dec. 11, 2014, 2:47 p.m.

Tweet Share

#1102

140 votes

All real guns must be black or chrome/silver. All toy guns must be blue or pink. The law would not allow any gun or toy gun to be altered in color.

Submitted by Barbara M. from OH in Civil Rights Dec. 13, 2014, 8:42 a.m.

Tweet Share

#1105

139 votes

Stop penalizing single people with a higher tax rate than married people pay.

Submitted by Ronaye T. from WA in Taxes & Budget Jan. 4, 2015, 7:04 p.m.

Tweet Share

#1105

139 votes

I propose that we need a tax penalty for corporations that when they have over a certain percentage of their employees, lets say 25%, on government assistance like SNAP or food stamps they should be charged a penalty equal to the amount of assistance their employees receive. This would mean instead of the taxpayers subsidizing the pay of these extremely profitable companies employees pay they would have to subsidize their own employees pay or actually pay a living wage.

Submitted by Jeffromac23 in Taxes & Budget Dec. 19, 2014, 8:44 a.m.

Tweet Share

#1105

139 votes

Expand on the extended day programs for middle & high school students. Why? Many kids do not have a quiet place at home to do work; many need help starting the assignment, teachers can help kids to understand what the assignment is asking for, group projects can be done, and many middle school students are on their own from 2:30-3pm until 5,6 or 7pm & need to be somewhere safe.

Submitted by Nancy W. from MA in Education Dec. 10, 2014, 7:55 p.m.

Tweet Share

#1105

139 votes

Pass federal law to forbid candidates for federal office from accepting any contributions not documented to have originated from a voter eligible to cast a vote for that candidate. This does not limit offer of political contributions, it limits acceptance of political contributions and therefore should be deemed constitutional. This will eliminate direct campaign contributions by non-corporeal entities as well as out-of-state contributions for Senators and Congresspersons.

Submitted by Paul K. from FL in Government & Elections Dec. 10, 2014, 5:23 p.m.

Tweet Share

#1105

139 votes

No more outsourcing, and bring jobs back to the US!

Submitted by StacyG in Economy & Jobs Dec. 10, 2014, 5:07 p.m.

Tweet Share

#1105

139 votes

Recognize the psychological devastation captivity has on orca whales. Make it illegal to enslave and breed these animals.

Submitted by Jessica S. from OR in Civil Rights Dec. 22, 2014, 3:03 p.m.

Tweet Share

#1111

138 votes

Get raising money out of running for office altogether through public financing and free air time. Every candidate gets the same small amount of public funds and the same amount of air time to demonstrate their fitness for office and to communicate their vision to the voting public. No private or personal funding is allowed. This enables people who are truly interested in representing constituents and "doing" democracy to enter the playing field.

Submitted by Just Sayin' in Government & Elections Dec. 11, 2014, 6:01 p.m.

Tweet Share

#1111

138 votes

Tax carbon based fuels and return the proceeds of the tax to the population per capita as a dividend, thus incentivizing renewable energy and energy efficiency to reduce greenhouse emissions, while compensating citizens for any increased cost of fuel and other goods.

Submitted by H. Bishop Dansby in Environment Jan. 8, 2015, 5:44 p.m.

Tweet Share

#1111

138 votes

Stop allowing hospitals to sue and garnish wages of low income patients like Heartland Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph, Missouri. According to NPR, this looks like a growing and horrifying trend.

Submitted by Life Coach in Health Dec. 19, 2014, 10:14 a.m.

Tweet Share

#1114

137 votes

Establish a non-partisan commission on Truth in Advertising for political candidates to expose dishonesty in political advertising BEFORE elections are held.

Submitted by Lawrence Gold in Government & Elections Jan. 8, 2015, 6:23 p.m.

Tweet Share

#1114

137 votes

Tax Carbon and use the proceeds to help communities develop renewable energy sources.

Submitted by Linda in Environment Dec. 20, 2014, 9:41 p.m.

Tweet Share

#1114

137 votes

An dramatic statement of respect for the Cuban people would be to close the prison and base at Guantanamo and end this colonial vestige of the Spanish-American War.

Submitted by Hiram in Foreign Policy & Military Jan. 4, 2015, 4:58 p.m.

Tweet Share

#1114

137 votes

Re-nationalize the Post Office. We do not need more banking or finance counseling/sales systems. There are already too many banks and stock hustlers in America and all the ATMs we need. Email has taken over much of our correspondence, but what must be mailed should be done by the government.

Submitted by Jack Siler in Infrastructure & Technology Jan. 4, 2015, 5:55 p.m.

Tweet Share

#1114

137 votes

Sales taxes disproportionately affect low wage earners. Eliminate most sales taxes except for those on unhealthy foods, beverages, cigarettes, etc., and luxury taxes, which should be increased. Offset the remaining revenues with taxes on earnings above $500,000/yr., the rate for which should increase over a half-dozen brackets up to $1B/yr, with a rate of 75%.

Submitted by Timothy Salt in Taxes & Budget Dec. 31, 2014, 12:08 p.m.

Tweet Share

#1114

137 votes

Create a governmental ethics committee that would be populated by regular, every day citizens to act as watchdogs for the misbehavior of comgressional leadership and give this committee the ability to hold both houses accountable for actions that are not appropriate for elected officials.

Submitted by Betoplata in Government & Elections Dec. 10, 2014, 4:59 p.m.

Tweet Share

#1114

137 votes

Who’s voting?

Thanks for voting on your favorite ideas!