The Big Ideas Project

Build a new refinery in the Northern United States so we do not have to build a pipe line to the gulf in Texas to make big oil tycoons even richer. They want to ship it elsewhere instead of keeping it here in the USA. VETO the keystone pipeline !

Submitted by maximum wage in Infrastructure & Technology Jan. 12, 2015, 5:13 p.m.

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#1982

42 votes

Patents on software and business methods are harming innovation rather than helping it. The first-mover advantage is enough to motivate people to innovate in these areas and event to raise capital, but often innovation is blocked because of patents of dubious value and novelty. Patent "trolls" can easily abuse the legal system to demand payments for ridiculous patents. Congress could easily resolve the problem by declaring that neither software nor business methods are eligible to be patented.

Submitted by Michael C. from PA in Infrastructure & Technology Dec. 11, 2014, 9:02 p.m.

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#1982

42 votes

Increase regulation and oversight on "core" categories of business that relate to basic human existence. Energy is one of these. Certain categories require greater transparency and accountability or "abuse" just becomes a seemingly acceptable part of the business pursuit.

Submitted by L.McDonald in Infrastructure & Technology Dec. 12, 2014, 5 a.m.

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#2017

40 votes

Create a nationalized bus transportation system that delivers free or subsidized service for all qualified riders

Submitted by lexout in Infrastructure & Technology Dec. 11, 2014, 7:22 p.m.

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#2037

38 votes

The U.S. government should put solar panels and wind turbines on every structure and every piece of property in the whole of these United States--free of charge.

Submitted by craig clark in Infrastructure & Technology Jan. 9, 2015, 9:55 a.m.

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#2046

37 votes

end oil, coal and nuclear dependence, and sending money to undemocratic governments; run a new safer faster totally quiet super efficient electric transportation, space launch and retrieval system and world wide smart electrical grid. this saves consumers in the USA $2 billion a day on gasoline alone, not counting maintenance and insurance. the sooner we switch over, the soon we start saving

Submitted by ramar in Infrastructure & Technology Jan. 8, 2015, 12:15 a.m. 1

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#2107

33 votes

Manned mission to Mars

Submitted by AYK in Infrastructure & Technology Jan. 3, 2015, 3:13 p.m.

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#2123

32 votes

Let's force Ford, GM, GE, Google,Amtrak, Skytran, DARPA, MIT, the NHSTB to come together to plan the vehicle of the future because it isn't a car, smartcar, train, skycab or bus... It is probably a combination of all of these...I clearly see an electric vehicle that can mount an automated interstate rail, get off and drive like an ordinary electric car ...All will need to contribute for it to succeed...The alternative is one buys the rest...Never to early for Alan Mullaly to plan ahead-Mitch C

Submitted by just mitch in Infrastructure & Technology Jan. 4, 2015, 2:12 p.m.

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#2135

31 votes

Resources based economy....

Submitted by James s. from WA in Infrastructure & Technology Dec. 17, 2014, 2:44 p.m.

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#2156

29 votes

Maglev-Smart-Grid or Magrid, it’s financing and implementation viability, is based on a thrice successful business model that is self-funding and requires only simple protocols and resolutions to implement, creating unlimited jobs near instantaneously. It is environmentally sound thru both its energy savings and low maintenance.

Submitted by ggz in Infrastructure & Technology Dec. 19, 2014, 10:45 a.m.

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#2156

29 votes

Decouple the gas tax from funding public road ways and infrastructure. Develope an independently funded annual operating budget responsible for upgrading highways and byways with an emphasis on public transportation and access to all citizens.

Submitted by Joe in Infrastructure & Technology Jan. 5, 2015, 1:52 p.m.

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#2156

29 votes

As we build/repair urban & suburban roads, rail, cables, pipes & related utility equipment, locate them in underground passageways. This will reduce the cost of repairs from bad weather, natural disasters, accidents, & construction mistakes. As well as the cost/impact of these on the community & businesses. Do it correctly & we could limit tearing up streets all the time & requiring excessive easements/rights of way on property borders. And improve the scenery.

Submitted by Timothy Salt in Infrastructure & Technology Jan. 9, 2015, 11:31 a.m.

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#2182

27 votes

This is more for local governments although more rigorous participation from FCC will not hurt: Make it easy for prospective ISPs to build high speed Internet infrastructure buy streamlining the permitting process as well as make public right-of-way use to lay cables as well as pole attachments more affordable. At the same time make it illegal for current large providers to play "I don't play on your turf, you don't play on mine". Promote competition among ISPs.

Submitted by George in Infrastructure & Technology Jan. 5, 2015, 3:47 a.m.

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#2191

26 votes

Reform patent laws! There should be a simple public repository for anyone to search, patents should only be enforceable when they are in the process of being developed on (no holding patents that aren't being worked on), and make clearer guidelines on what counts as a patent (i.e., a new technology not a design idea like Apple patenting the shape and button placement of their phones).

Submitted by Mike S in Infrastructure & Technology Jan. 11, 2015, 3:14 p.m.

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#2227

22 votes

NASA should seek Private Donations through aggressive advertising. Donations can be a one time deal or fixed monthly amounts. I would personally donate $50 a month.

Submitted by Cyrus_1 in Infrastructure & Technology Dec. 19, 2014, 4:45 a.m.

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#2265

19 votes

Stop the G.O.P. war against the US Postal Service. USPS employees more veterans than any agency or company in America. Small business + 99% of Americans depend on the US Post. It's in the Constitution.

Submitted by Dr. Williams in Infrastructure & Technology Jan. 15, 2015, 4:37 p.m.

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#2299

16 votes

Dual Municipal Internet. The local cities should be incentivized to start their own fiber-optic network. Likewise, power utilities should also be allowed to deliver powerline internet. This would introduce some competition into the market to sell internet service.

Submitted by wg2001 in Infrastructure & Technology Jan. 5, 2015, 1:59 a.m.

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#2299

16 votes

During the 1960s we went to the Moon largely because of idealism and because Russia would have made use of the Moon to try to take over this planet. We need to go back to the moon before 2020 so that those countries who are not at all thrilled with us see the Moon as a safe heaven. We would also start colony there that is free for all to visit and eventually live. The restoration of the original Constellation program to take us there and to then to Mars and of course the Asteroids.

Submitted by Gregg in Infrastructure & Technology Jan. 4, 2015, 4:27 p.m.

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#2376

11 votes

The only reason to continue coal mining in the US is keeping the 100,000 jobs. Fund a Federal program to retrain, relocate, and/or pension out those employees. We could be coal-free in less than 10 years and easily meet our pollution reduction targets.

Submitted by PCIdeas in Infrastructure & Technology Jan. 15, 2015, 11:57 a.m.

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#2387

10 votes

Ban export of any and all energy products (Coal, petroleum products, nuclear energy sources, etc.) that have been sourced from Federal Lands, as a high priority National Security item. Those energy sources belong to all of us, and must stay within our borders.

Submitted by D. W. from OR in Infrastructure & Technology Jan. 15, 2015, 11:46 p.m.

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#2387

10 votes

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