The Big Ideas Project

What if lobbyists had NO DIRECT ACCESS to our representatives? If special interests wanted legislative change they would need to persuade the constituency - registered voters in that district. Increased voter activity and political awareness with local control becomes much more likely. Representatives could then focus their responsibility on the interests of their voting constituency. One citizen, one vote, many citizens, many votes and representative legislation.

Submitted by Marco C. from NJ in Government & Elections Dec. 19, 2014, 12:44 p.m.

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#1456

90 votes

You can have democracy or a system which allows accumulation of wealth by a few, but not both. We should either admit our political system serves wealthy and corporate interests and accept that an elite few will dictate what resources the majority can have, who gets benefits, etc. or we can demand caps on wealth and take back natural resources to create greater equity.

Submitted by Jared in Government & Elections Dec. 29, 2014, midnight

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#1456

90 votes

Make all court judges explain jury nullification so the last bastion of liberty will be understood and accessible

Submitted by jack p. from CA in Civil Rights Jan. 4, 2015, 8:36 p.m.

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#1463

89 votes

NO Media/TV/Radio Ads for political candidates NOR ballot propositions. Most are paid for by the people & corporations trying to manipulate the elections with untruths, fiction, and slander. The U.S. is the only country that allows this! Voters should be made to read their ballots, investigate and research the issues, as well as their parties and candidates.

Submitted by Sabine Jordan from CA in Government & Elections Dec. 10, 2014, 7:52 p.m.

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#1463

89 votes

Have a total time of service limit of 30 years for all Senators And Congressmen. Have a pension for them and their staffers that equals 70% of their pay that is vested at a rate of 7% per year of service, until fully vested. Such will be revoked in its entirety if said person goes to work in the private sector, after leaving office.

Submitted by Bobwarren in Government & Elections Jan. 7, 2015, 11:50 p.m.

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#1463

89 votes

Put a ballot initiative in every state possible to have employers provide at least 4 days of sick pay a year accumulative to 10 days( See California's new law). Over a third of all employers have NO sick pay, so workers come to work sick, ESPECIALLY in the Restaurant business! This will increase avg person turnout who will vote for it, and level the playing field for the employers who do provide sick pay.

Submitted by Greg in Economy & Jobs Dec. 11, 2014, 4:33 p.m.

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#1463

89 votes

If war is declared, the children and grandchildren of the members of Congress as well as the children and grandchildren of the board of directors of any corporation that profits from the war, be it gun maker, tank maker, jet maker, or bank, shall be drafted and put on the FRONT Lines. I guarantee ther will be fewer wars.

Submitted by William S. from AL in Foreign Policy & Military Dec. 26, 2014, 7:23 p.m.

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#1463

89 votes

Federal Inmate Amnesty Program: Congress should pass a bill, and the President sign into law, which grants immediate release from imprisonment if the inmate meets validation requirements: inmate has served a minimum of two-thirds of all current/consecutive sentences, no history of crimes of violence, crimes against children, ongoing behavior of a predatory nature, no detainers to another sentence.

Submitted by TimbreTim in Society & Community Dec. 30, 2014, 5:24 a.m.

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#1463

89 votes

A citizens' lobby for the digital age: Let voters vote on every bill before congress by developing a system that links to Thomas (http://thomas.loc.gov/home/thomas.php) and reports results to Congress. While non-binding, the system would show Congress members how much interest and support there is for every issue -- as well as show constituents whether their representatives are voting with or against their interests.

Submitted by laurie in Government & Elections Jan. 4, 2015, 11:20 a.m.

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#1463

89 votes

Follow the Montana model and create NHS-style no-co-pay health clinics for all federal employees and retirees staffed by salaried providers to end the fee-for-service cost model. These clinics are much cheaper than paying providers in the marketplace (and the insurance companies to manage the claims or keep their cut). Eventually expand these clinics to all Americans as a better, cheaper way to provide health care than fee-for-service through Medicaid, Medicare and Obamacare subsidies.

Submitted by Dan Johnson in Health Jan. 3, 2015, 2:32 p.m.

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#1463

89 votes

Initiate two years of mandatory universal public service (with the option to serve in the military, in schools, in medical facilities, in infrastructure construction or maintenance, etc.) for all mentally and physically capable persons between the ages of 18 and 23 (with a limited deferral--a postponement, not an exemption--for those enrolled in an accredited school).

Submitted by Floyd H. from GA in Society & Community Dec. 10, 2014, 4:21 p.m.

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#1463

89 votes

Institute and instant runoff type ballots nation wide. Give third parties a voice in the system.

Submitted by JHarger in Government & Elections Dec. 10, 2014, 2:16 p.m.

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#1472

88 votes

Limit cost overruns on any govt project to a maximum of 10% of the bid. This will require them to make realistic bids and not count on the taxpayer to pick up the tab on bids they should have known they could not meet.

Submitted by Chuck Isner in Taxes & Budget Jan. 3, 2015, 7:16 p.m.

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#1472

88 votes

Build more State Universities, and make them free. There's too much profiteering and excessive elitism going on in education. It's bifurcating to a debt scam for the poor, and a finishing school for the rich elite. It's time to revive the idea of a university for the people. Free college for all.

Submitted by wg2001 in Education Jan. 5, 2015, 2:21 a.m.

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#1472

88 votes

Repeal the Federal Reserve, it is not a federal agency, never was. It's a cartel of the six largest banks and it's sole purpose is to aid the banks in ripping off the rest of us.

Submitted by Uphill Skier in Economy & Jobs Dec. 13, 2014, 9:33 a.m.

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#1472

88 votes

Payday APR interest rates nationally must be controlled. Austin Texas is dirty and controlled by paydays companies.

Submitted by joanne groshardt in Economy & Jobs Dec. 10, 2014, 3:54 p.m.

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#1476

87 votes

Eliminate guns from American society.

Submitted by William Mitchell in Civil Rights Dec. 11, 2014, 9:02 a.m.

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#1476

87 votes

all new construction of multiple-unit residential buildings shall include at least one low income unit, to be offered to qualified applicants.

Submitted by lexout in Society & Community Dec. 10, 2014, 2:50 p.m.

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#1476

87 votes

Improve resources for small businesses to start and grow biz to create jobs. SBA 7(a) loans and other resources

Submitted by Craeg Strong in Economy & Jobs Nov. 17, 2014, 6:22 a.m.

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#1476

87 votes

Make bribes illegal and enforce this. A bribe can be cash, goods or services. Campaigns should be financed through taxes. Candidates should be allowed to run, get on the ballot, and participate in debates if they qualify. A certain number of signatures would work, but gatherers must be unpaid. This would result in a real democracy for us, instead of what we have.

Submitted by Eva Scherb in Government & Elections Dec. 10, 2014, 5:54 p.m.

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#1476

87 votes

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