The Big Ideas Project

Rebuild communities with local power, local food the jobs produced will be local and empowering to the people who need it most.

Submitted by Valerie Bline B. from NY in Society & Community Nov. 12, 2014, 7:40 p.m.

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#965

169 votes

Our country has labeled most infractions of the law as a Felony. Often these Felons are put in prison which brings more money to the prison system's coffers. Those who have not committed heinous crimes should be offered the opportunity to redeem themselves by enlisting in our military for 4 yrs of service to our country. After 4 good yrs I would like to see the felony expunged from their records so they can find employment and move on with their lives as contributors to society.

Submitted by MARILYN W. from TX in Society & Community Dec. 9, 2014, 4:28 p.m.

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#983

163 votes

Make it mandatory that all gun manufacturers are required to put a finger print sensory on the trigger of the manufactured guns, so that we have less casualties.

Submitted by Patricia S. from PA in Society & Community Dec. 9, 2014, 8:12 p.m.

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#1013

157 votes

Specialized drug and prostitution courts to replace minimum mandatory sentencing and prison sentences for nonviolent crimes. Connect drug addicts and sex workers with health care professionals focused on their physical, mental, and emotional well-being, as well as social workers who connect them with vital services based on their individual needs. Health care, therapy, education, housing, and employment would be top priorities.

Submitted by Mark in Society & Community Dec. 31, 2014, 4:18 p.m. 2

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#1019

155 votes

A federal annual mil levy on wealth. A .001 cent tax on each $10,000.00 of property/income to fund social security, medicare, educational PROGRAMS, peace corp, VISTA, social programs to encourage individual incentive and reward effort, etc.

Submitted by Philip in Society & Community Jan. 6, 2015, 2:13 p.m.

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#1025

154 votes

Mandatory jail-time for an elected official caught influence peddling or engaging in any other form of conflict of interest with material monetary significance for the official, a family member or friend, a donor, or other "associate."

Submitted by Timothy Salt in Society & Community Dec. 16, 2014, 4:20 p.m.

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#1030

153 votes

Mandatory annual town hall meetings representatives at the state and local levels where the public hears a briefing on how they are being represented and with open question hour.

Submitted by Jacqueline A in Society & Community Dec. 6, 2014, 11:34 a.m.

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#1064

147 votes

Our court system needs to be overhauled as an entity from top to bottom. Eliminate lifetime appointments & establish term limits for the justices, institute merit selection of court justices, create a more meaningful confirmation process, televise all proceedings, & apply ethics rules to all justices.

Submitted by ACE910046SCA1 in Society & Community Jan. 11, 2015, 9:29 p.m.

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#1123

136 votes

Develop a comprehensive, coordinated policy for the renewal and health of rural communities, small towns, and landscapes across the nation -- one that connects land conservation, sustainable agriculture, water, food, jobs, health, education, small business. Democrats -- and the national as a whole -- must overcome the great divide between rural and urban America, building connections for the good of our land, our communities, and future generations.

Submitted by Rural Wisconsin Progressive in Society & Community Dec. 9, 2014, 10:20 p.m.

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#1139

133 votes

Criminal justice reform including sentencing guidelines, drug scheduling & Youth PROMISE Act. Reschedule ALL drugs by a new set of criteria that better reflects their actual dangers, not propaganda for a failed war on drugs. Tax and regulate recreational/medical marijuana nationwide. Ramp up the American hemp industry for food, textiles, oil, wax, resin, rope, cloth, pulp, paper, and fuel.

Submitted by Boberto in Society & Community Jan. 4, 2015, 1:17 a.m.

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#1173

128 votes

National Pension Plan for all workers

Submitted by frou44 in Society & Community Dec. 10, 2014, 3:05 p.m.

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#1173

128 votes

No child should be tried as an adult. No child should be sent to prison. Children should be counseled not imprisoned.

Submitted by Robert King in Society & Community Dec. 26, 2014, 1:08 p.m.

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#1173

128 votes

Make national service mandatory after high school or age 20 whichever comes first for two years. The obligation can be discharged through the military, Peace Corps, teaching assistant in the underserved areas, national park system. Participants will receive a stipend equivalent to E-2 in the military. This will rebuild shared experiences and a true sense of involvement with all others in building and maintaining a country.

Submitted by Doug M in Society & Community Dec. 10, 2014, 2:43 p.m.

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#1202

124 votes

Make rape a much more serious crime. Today 1 in 5 women in college and 1in 4 women in the armed services are raped. These are the institutions from which our future police and leaders come from. The backlog on rape kits is over a year, unacceptable! As it is OK to defend against rape with lethal force it should certainly carry life-time sentences for convictions. On this issue the Democrats can take away the "hard on crime" mantle from the Republicans and get 100% of women voters.

Submitted by John Norton in Society & Community Dec. 18, 2014, 1:44 a.m.

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#1239

119 votes

National Service by every high school (college) graduate in any area that benefits the public good.

Submitted by Joe L. from ME in Society & Community Nov. 21, 2014, 3:26 p.m.

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#1245

118 votes

Make the reduction of violence a national priority. Common sense gun reform

Submitted by Moderate in Society & Community Dec. 18, 2014, 8:23 p.m.

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#1245

118 votes

Culture is one of the biggest elements that make a country remembered in history (think of Greek & Roman sculptures, or paintings in Renaissance Italy). Support for the Arts & Humanities is essential to our survival as a meaningful nation. The current allocation for Arts & Humanities is not even a tenth of what other countries, including China & Russia, have committed. Let's show the world that we value culture.

Submitted by Stephan Laurent in Society & Community Dec. 10, 2014, 4:43 p.m.

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#1298

110 votes

Increase the maximum DCFSA (Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account) contribution. The current maximum ($5,000 annually) was put in place in the early to mid-80's. Does anyone really think daycare costs haven't skyrocketed since then? I had an infant and a 2 1/2 year old in daycare in a YMCA-type daycare at a monthly rate of $2,011 (2009). I was through my $5,000 maximum before mid-March. THAT will help working parents.

Submitted by Tammy V. from FL in Society & Community Dec. 10, 2014, 5:09 p.m.

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#1334

106 votes

Abolish the Scarlet Letter Sex Offenders list for people who have committed non-violent acts such as urinating in an alley, inadvertently downloading child porn, streaking across a football field.

Submitted by no in Society & Community Dec. 19, 2014, 6:14 a.m.

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#1348

104 votes

A Purple Idea: When it comes to the health of a community, the city or county laws should have precedence, as long as no person's human rights are trampled upon. Monsanto/Dow/Pioneer/GMA are suing local communities and states for merely asking for the "right to know" and for the right to protect our communities from products and practices not proven safe.

Submitted by C B. from HI in Society & Community Dec. 11, 2014, 3:33 a.m.

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#1348

104 votes

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