The Big Ideas Project

Replace Capital Gains tax with a tax policy that strongly favors domestic (US) reinvestment. It used to be that when people had capital gains, any lower rate meant investors would naturally invest here at home. Today's multi-national corporations freely locate plants abroad at expense of US jobs, to avoid taxes, and to dodge labor and environmental regulation. The US citizenry shouldn't be subsidizing such practices. Tax breaks should reward and encourage trends we want/need.

Submitted by Kent Pitman in Taxes & Budget Jan. 10, 2015, 12:30 p.m.

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#1354

103 votes

Adopt rules in the U. S. Senate and House that prohibits these institutions from adopting or implementing partisan parliamentary rules and legislation. Representative should be in these houses to represent the people, not their political parties. Such changes must be enacted as rules in accordance with article I, section 5 of the Constitution.

Submitted by LynBarTri in Government & Elections Dec. 10, 2014, 4:14 p.m.

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#1362

102 votes

Election campaign reform with teeth to limit excessive campaign donations to political candidates or pass a constitutional amendment to accomplish this.

Submitted by follow the money in Government & Elections Dec. 10, 2014, 9:51 p.m.

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#1362

102 votes

A fair vote system, to circumvent gerrymandering, using a districts plus method or another similar method.

Submitted by Simon R, Political Organizer in Government & Elections Dec. 11, 2014, 6:55 a.m.

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#1362

102 votes

Every State and City Government must be held accountable for providing the same " Quality " of education to Students in Urban School's as is provided in the County School's .Equal Quality education is a Civil Right .

Submitted by Betty M. from MD in Education Dec. 10, 2014, 9:39 p.m.

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#1362

102 votes

We need to educate humans to the severe human overpopulation problem we have and how it contributes to constant competition, inequity and wars over resources, land, space, etc. as well as the impossibility of enough food and healthcare. Adults should get large tax breaks for not having children as well as for adopting and fostering children that are already here. Also, strict limits on the number of children a family has as well as free birth control and abortions available for all women.

Submitted by Violet R. M.A. in Health Jan. 4, 2015, 4:10 p.m. 1

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#1362

102 votes

Dramatically reduce class size. Increase ratio of teacher assistants, nurses, counselors. Improve supplies, equipment & facilities. Increase pay for teachers & assistants. Full support for Art, Music, & Phys Ed. Add Civics, Anger Management, Problem Solving, Conflict Resolution, Intervention, Home Economics, Personal Finance, etc. How? 5% tax on private school tuition. 5% supplemental income tax for $500K & up. 1% annual wealth tax at $2M; 4% @ $20M; 6% @ $50M; 8% @ $100M. 10% @ $1B.

Submitted by Timothy Salt in Education Jan. 13, 2015, 12:13 p.m.

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#1362

102 votes

Redo our tax system that actually follows the United States Constitution. The authority of Congress to regulate international trade is set out in Article I, Section 8, Paragraph 1 of the United States Constitution. Whenever we have U.S. manufacturers making certain product types and there is actual U.S. competition, tariffs need to be also used to tax companies who only import these product type goods. U.S. manufacturers getting taxed without import companies getting taxed is STUPID.

Submitted by Mark Sanguinetti in Economy & Jobs Jan. 3, 2015, 3:16 a.m.

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#1362

102 votes

Elimination of fossil fuels by investing/subsidizing the hemp industry including but not limited to gasoline substitute, plastics/fiberglass substitute, clothing, concrete substitute (hempcrete), stronger plyboard/press board, elimination of deforestation, etc. The possibilities deserve greater consideration especially with the U.N. environmental study.

Submitted by Beth C. from WA in Infrastructure & Technology Dec. 25, 2014, 12:29 a.m.

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#1369

101 votes

The Federal Elections Commission could institute mandatory voting for all US citizens 18 years or older and have them show proof of US citizenship upon registration. This would be done only once. After that, they just need to keep their registration current.

Submitted by Rene and Carol M. from CA in Civil Rights Dec. 20, 2014, 5:41 p.m.

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#1370

100 votes

Put minimum wage increase initiative on the ballot in as many states as possible in 2016! This will increase Dem and liberal turnout!

Submitted by Greg in Economy & Jobs Dec. 11, 2014, 4:29 p.m.

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#1370

100 votes

Begin protecting areas of land and declaring them as 'Renewable Energy Power Parks' (REPPs). On each parcel of land we would maximize all relevant renewable energy potential (solar, wind, geothermal, hydrokinetic (river, tidal, wave, etc.), biomass, etc.) and to connect the power generated to local communities. These REPPs would range from a small urban park powering a neighborhood to a larger more rural park powering an entire city. Safe for the public. Public-Private Partnerships will be key.

Submitted by Matt Reardon in Environment Jan. 14, 2015, 11:47 a.m.

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#1370

100 votes

Provide low-interest funding to companies manufacture and/or install solar energy systems on reasonably priced lease-purchase terms.

Submitted by Timothy Salt in Environment Dec. 16, 2014, 3:06 p.m.

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#1370

100 votes

Retire the penny. The half cent was retired and we no longer need the penny. Round to the nearest five cents on cash transactions. Cents and partial cents are of course still possible with electronic transactions. A lot of mining, pollution and expense to create a coin that is no longer worth picking up.

Submitted by Lance in Taxes & Budget Dec. 10, 2014, 4:03 p.m.

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#1370

100 votes

Federal funding and outreach resources for HIV/AIDS research and education.

Submitted by Jeffrey J. from AL in Health Dec. 9, 2014, 1:01 a.m.

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#1370

100 votes

Reevaluate the consequences that people with felony charges should legally be required to experience. After 7 years local goverments should not be able to prevent peolple with a felony conviction from sitting on public committees or commissions.

Submitted by DAVID SHAMER in Civil Rights Dec. 10, 2014, 6:49 p.m.

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#1370

100 votes

Congressional districts should be based on contiguous survey townships, and should be as nearly square as possible, accounting for shorelines, This would eliminate gerrymandering,, or as nearly so as possible.

Submitted by P. Szymeczek in Government & Elections Dec. 25, 2014, 8:02 p.m.

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#1370

100 votes

Increase Social Security payments incrementally in the following manner : age 65=increase of $100.00/mo. age 70=increase of $200.00/mo. age 75=increase of $300.00/mo. age 80+=increase of $50.00/mo.

Submitted by Gary H. from MI in Economy & Jobs Dec. 19, 2014, 1:03 a.m.

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#1370

100 votes

Institute Progressive Social Security Payroll Tax $0 to $30,000.... 1% $30,000 to $80,000.... 10% $80,000 to $500,000...12% Above $500,000...15% ►All brackets fully indexed to inflation or increases in CEO compensation whichever is higher. ►Tax rates on 1st three brackets capped, not subject to future rate increases under any circumstances. ►Tax to be split evenly between employer & employee, same as current law. ►If additional revenue is needed, broaden the tax base.

Submitted by Sam H in Taxes & Budget Dec. 19, 2014, 3:54 a.m.

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#1370

100 votes

Congress should not be allowed to give themselves raises unless they work an entire year. No 5 week recess.

Submitted by yes in Government & Elections Dec. 18, 2014, 8:49 p.m.

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#1370

100 votes

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