The Big Ideas Project

DC statehood. DC residents are as entitled as all other Americans to participate in federal elections and to run their own affairs without Congressional interference.

Submitted by ken burgdorf in Government & Elections Dec. 10, 2014, 2:04 p.m.

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#764

224 votes

An Article V Constitutional Convention to end corporate personhood and restrict campaign financing.

Submitted by Pietro Poggi in Government & Elections Dec. 10, 2014, 8:12 p.m.

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#774

221 votes

Shut the door on politicians bleeding back and forth between Government and Corporations -- and politicians not taking the word -- testimony -- of Experts who tout what's in the best Interest of Government while making substantial profits on those very same Interests

Submitted by gary w. in Government & Elections Jan. 4, 2015, 5:01 p.m.

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#783

219 votes

How's about making a statute that members of Congress and their staffers cannot become lobbyists in order to peddle their influence and connections for a period of ten years after leaving or being voted out of Congress.

Submitted by medtechcarl in Government & Elections Dec. 19, 2014, 10:02 p.m.

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#791

217 votes

Regulate lobbying. Most lobbyists have too much influence on Congress. Meanwhile, the American public doesn't have similar "representation." Limit rewards/perks that lobbyists can use to influence our representatives' decisions.

Submitted by Robin Zeplin in Government & Elections Dec. 10, 2014, 6 p.m.

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#795

216 votes

Not only should civics be reinstated in high school as a requirement for graduation, but any person running for office in the US should be required to pass a civics test before consideration. If new American citizens are required to pass a civics test before they are allowed to become citizens, then elected officials should equally demonstrate their knowledge of the workings of our democracy.

Submitted by Alina V. from FL in Government & Elections Dec. 26, 2014, 2:05 p.m.

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#795

216 votes

According to the United States Supreme Court, money is free speech and corporations are people, too. Corporate personhood is sanctified and guaranteed by the current Supreme Court insofar as how SCOTUS interprets the First Amendment. Two recommendations come to mind. Elections need to be publicly financed. Also, there should be a constitutional amendment which bans money in politics and that means amending the First Amendment so that money is not free speech.

Submitted by Craig T. from FL in Government & Elections Dec. 10, 2014, 7:09 p.m.

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#795

216 votes

Make House of Representative elections every 4 years on the same dates as presidential elections to 1) increase voter turn out and 2) allow them more time working on issues important to their constituents as opposed to campaigning.

Submitted by Rodney in Government & Elections Dec. 10, 2014, 1:34 p.m.

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#798

215 votes

A Constitutional Amendment to overturn Citizens United, followed by the institution of publicly financed elections.

Submitted by Karen P. from CA in Government & Elections Jan. 14, 2015, 1:30 a.m.

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#801

213 votes

Ensure full voting rights for all our citizens.

Submitted by Frank D. from TX in Government & Elections Dec. 13, 2014, 10:03 p.m.

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#812

208 votes

Merged Idea

Establish a system for a national referendum where voters can directly pass legislation at the ballot box when congress fails to act. This would serve to remove the influence of big money special interests on the political system.

Submitted by lbsjack in Government & Elections Dec. 10, 2014, 3:16 p.m.

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#816

207 votes

Publicly funded elections, plain and simple. ZERO special interest money in ANY elections.

Submitted by Chenry85 in Government & Elections Dec. 18, 2014, 11:55 p.m.

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#816

207 votes

Stop the revolving door of congress to lobbying firm. 1) A lifetime ban on congressmen and senators from lobbying. 2) A 7 year ban on staff members becoming lobbyists.

Submitted by squirrelbird in Government & Elections Dec. 11, 2014, 7:31 a.m.

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#820

206 votes

Make it illegal for anyone to lobby in Congress for any reason especially EX Congress persons or anyone who has worked for any part of the federal government. Their retirement should be enough to live on.

Submitted by Zgravity in Government & Elections Dec. 10, 2014, 5:51 p.m.

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#822

205 votes

Ban stock held companies for making political donations. The share holders deserve the profits, not some friend of the CEO

Submitted by f n. from NY in Government & Elections Dec. 10, 2014, 5:29 p.m.

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#826

204 votes

It should be against the law to lie in advertising.

Submitted by Mary Rocco in Government & Elections Dec. 10, 2014, 4:21 p.m.

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#830

203 votes

Standardized ballots for national elections. Hanging chads? Never again!

Submitted by Betsy in Government & Elections Dec. 10, 2014, 11:29 a.m.

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#837

201 votes

There is no reason for millionaire politicians, especially members of Congress, to continue receiving their salary, forever, once they leave office. Kill that rule.

Submitted by Joby McClendon in Government & Elections Dec. 19, 2014, 5:15 p.m.

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#854

196 votes

Government By the People Act: A law to establish public financing of all elections for Senate, House of Representatives, and President, and to prohibit lobbying by corporations. Only individuals and citizen groups would be allowed to lobby.

Submitted by MW in Government & Elections Dec. 10, 2014, 5:35 p.m.

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#857

195 votes

Don't allow lobbies to influence our lawmakers. All discussions to be in a public forum, by private individuals, nothing behind doors.

Submitted by Arthur G. from CA in Government & Elections Dec. 10, 2014, 3:15 p.m.

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#858

194 votes

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