The Big Ideas Project

Civics education for citizens. Our democracy depends upon citizen knowledge of how government works and what our individual responsibilities are, but too many people nationwide know too little and many don't care enough. Develop civics programs in innovative ways using internet, games, tv, any and everything to help people learn and become involved.

Submitted by Elizabeth W. from TX in Government & Elections Dec. 10, 2014, 10:42 p.m.

Tweet Share

#1412

94 votes

Elected officials and candidates should not be allowed to KEEP unused campaign funds after they lose an election or retire. These funds should go into escrow. If they do not run in an election, any escrowed amount should go to the new candidate for that office (who wins the primary, if any). Donors' campaign contributions MUST go to campaigns...

Submitted by Timothy Salt in Government & Elections Dec. 20, 2014, 3:19 p.m.

Tweet Share

#1412

94 votes

Political donations ought to be restricted to the relevant geographic area of the election so no-one may contribute to a campaign outside her own district.

Submitted by CitizenUSA in Government & Elections Dec. 17, 2014, 2:30 a.m.

Tweet Share

#1426

93 votes

Level the gender playing field in one or our national legislative branches of government that only allows for two representatives from each state. This could be done with the stroke of a pen adding an addendum to the l7th Amendment "There shall be two representatives from each state; one being a qualified male and one being a qualified female." The l7th Amendment deals with the election ofUSSenators.adding an addendum will prove that democracy is a work in progress! Winnie Walsh, writer/author

Submitted by winnie walsh in Government & Elections Dec. 9, 2014, 10:13 a.m.

Tweet Share

#1426

93 votes

We need four year terms for members of the House.

Submitted by Doodles in Government & Elections Dec. 13, 2014, 9:57 a.m.

Tweet Share

#1438

92 votes

Our current system of voting can easily result in election of candidates whom the majority of voters oppose. This is the spoiler effect and it can be avoided. States and localities should adopt a voting method that avoids the spoiler effect.

Submitted by Gedanken in Government & Elections Dec. 10, 2014, 3:26 p.m.

Tweet Share

#1438

92 votes

Make voting compulsory, as in some other countries.

Submitted by antonio l. from CA in Government & Elections Jan. 4, 2015, 5:24 p.m.

Tweet Share

#1447

91 votes

Whatever retirement benefits Congress has installed for itself, every American should have upon retirement age. If anything, people who work for years at unrewarding and tedious jobs should receive more than those whose jobs have been desirable and exciting.They're certainly more in need of the money.

Submitted by Madeleine A. from NY in Government & Elections Dec. 22, 2014, 12:57 a.m.

Tweet Share

#1447

91 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

Tweet Share

#1456

90 votes

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.

Tweet Share

#1456

90 votes

Voting should be nationalized and be uniform throughout the US to ensure fair elections. And "winner take all" should be abolished so that third parties actually get fair representation.

Submitted by Jack D. from WA in Government & Elections Dec. 17, 2014, 5:40 p.m.

Tweet Share

#1456

90 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.

Tweet Share

#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.

Tweet Share

#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.

Tweet Share

#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.

Tweet Share

#1472

88 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.

Tweet Share

#1476

87 votes

Require mandatory 3 year minimum prison sentences--without parole--for any white collar felony. Require all fines for white collar crimes to equal at least 200% of the amount of money criminally obtained, 150% of which must be returned to the victims, 50% solely to white collar crime law enforcement.

Submitted by Timothy Salt in Government & Elections Dec. 16, 2014, 2:38 p.m.

Tweet Share

#1476

87 votes

Pass a law stating that no vote for legislation is valid unless the proposed law has been personally and completely read by the Congressman voting. No one should EVER say, 'vote for it and find out what's in it'. This dereliction of duty must be stopped.

Submitted by Chris in Government & Elections Dec. 17, 2014, 7:42 p.m.

Tweet Share

#1486

86 votes

Adopt a Constitutional Amendment that disallows contributions to any political candidate by donors that are not qualified to vote for that candidate.

Submitted by Leon R. from AZ in Government & Elections Dec. 19, 2014, 4:55 a.m.

Tweet Share

#1486

86 votes

NO TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION! FELONS SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO VOTE! THE JUSTICE SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE FIXED AND HELD ACCOUNTABLE TO ALL CITIZENS.

Submitted by Positive Life in Government & Elections Dec. 10, 2014, 9:03 p.m.

Tweet Share

#1486

86 votes

Who’s voting?

Thanks for voting on your favorite ideas!