The Big Ideas Project

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

Tweet Share

#1019

155 votes

Please pass a Law that gets rid of ALL Private Money out of Politics and Government. Lobbyist can still lobby BUT can't spend a dime or take someone to Lunch, pay for Golf or a trip to Europe...Nothing can be offered, including deals to get Congressmens kids into Colleges or future jobs. ALL Private Money out.

Submitted by AnyWoman in Uncategorized Jan. 3, 2015, 12:03 p.m.

Tweet Share

#1019

155 votes

If not Free, than at least Affordable Education. Education is an investment in our future, our country's future, our children's future. It should not cost a fortune and should be accessible to all. For example, the Cal. UC system just announced raising tuition AGAIN. All the tuition money only goes to overpaid Administrators whose salaries are constantly going up instead of toward the actual education of the students.

Submitted by Sabine Jordan from CA in Education Dec. 10, 2014, 8:29 p.m.

Tweet Share

#1019

155 votes

Campaign Finance Reform 1. Campaigns be publicly funded at a tiny fraction of their current costs. 2. Candidates' campaigns have three month maximum length. (This would cut costs & invigorate the electorate as the current model of campaigning for two years creates apathy and inertia.) 3. Serious penalties for violating rules including prison sentencing.

Submitted by ChardoMuntz in Government & Elections Dec. 12, 2014, 12:44 p.m.

Tweet Share

#1019

155 votes

Make civil rights less employee against employee and more employer liability. Stop pitting poor against poor and make employers more accountable

Submitted by noone in Civil Rights Dec. 29, 2014, 11:48 p.m.

Tweet Share

#1025

154 votes

Require minimum 50% USA made materials in all new construction and any remodeling project in the USA. Report from years ago stated millions put to work with just a 5% increase in USA made materials.

Submitted by Craig G in Economy & Jobs Jan. 8, 2015, 3:25 p.m.

Tweet Share

#1025

154 votes

End water Fluoridation! Fluoride is a drug that needs to be not forced on people without their consent. It is a neurotoxin which is known to be harmful to all age groups especially to infants and children.

Submitted by Abs in Environment Dec. 9, 2014, 9:12 p.m.

Tweet Share

#1025

154 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.

Tweet Share

#1025

154 votes

Electricity generation by using LFTR (liquid fluoride thorium reactors) - safe and cheap. No danger of meltdown, no leftover spent radioactive fuel, cheap to build and maintain, extremely cheap and plentiful and easily available fuel. This will provide very affordable, almost free, electricity across the country.

Submitted by A P. from NY in Infrastructure & Technology Nov. 17, 2014, 9:21 a.m.

Tweet Share

#1025

154 votes

Change the House of Representative terms to three years. Have one third of the congress up for election each year in a geographically balanced scatter, so that the congress has a rolling barometer of public opinion and so that congressmen are not constantly campaigning.

Submitted by Robert E. Sojka in Government & Elections Dec. 10, 2014, 2:04 p.m.

Tweet Share

#1030

153 votes

Re-vitalize the SBA so that entrepreneurs con get the financing they heed for that next big thing. Small business is where growth is. End big corporation subsidies!

Submitted by Brad W. from CA in Economy & Jobs Nov. 16, 2014, 5:31 p.m.

Tweet Share

#1030

153 votes

Allow people to secure the same zero interest rate or low interest rates from the Federal Reserve that large banks get to payoff student loan debt and home mortgages affected adversely by the housing debacle & collapse caused by banks themselves.

Submitted by Dominick M. from FL in Economy & Jobs Dec. 19, 2014, 8:51 a.m.

Tweet Share

#1030

153 votes

For every 10 feet of oil pipeline built or used in the US there must be 5kW of solar or wind power built and active on the grid. This power must be active prior to construction or modification of any pipeline.

Submitted by Trev in Environment Dec. 10, 2014, 10:36 a.m.

Tweet Share

#1030

153 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.

Tweet Share

#1030

153 votes

An Employee Empowerment Act would allow workers a private right of action for retaliation for union activity with civil right remedies enumerated in Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. This right would not replace the rights under the National Labor Relations Act. Workers would elect which route.

Submitted by Rep. Keith Ellison (MN-5) in Economy & Jobs Jan. 10, 2015, 11 a.m.

Tweet Share

#1030

153 votes

A study in the Princeton Review found that we live in an oligarchy, not a democracy, that "our" gov. does not listen to/represent "us." As interesting as this Big Ideas project is and useful it should be, it is inherently democratic, which means it won't be used by oligarchy to create democracy, a healthier more distributed economy, solutions to climate change, etc. These require effectively organizing an external, irresistible democratic force that can supplant oligarchy. THAT'S the Big Idea.

Submitted by Y. Sam in Government & Elections Jan. 1, 2015, 12:43 p.m.

Tweet Share

#1036

152 votes

STOP PENALTY FOR SENIORS on Medicare part D if they opt out. Now penalty is 1% per month every month Part D is not paid for. Many drugs such as pain meds or breathing meds are NOT on insurance company formularies . Companies exist to MAKE MONEY not help patients.

Submitted by no in Health Dec. 11, 2014, 8:53 a.m.

Tweet Share

#1036

152 votes

Restore the estate tax. 3 of the top 10 wealthiest people in the US are descendants of Sam Walton

Submitted by CPA in Taxes & Budget Dec. 10, 2014, 6:49 p.m.

Tweet Share

#1036

152 votes

The Pentagon has viewed manmade climate change as a major national security threat since as far back as early in the George W. Bush administration. Yet many politicians, due to the millions of dollars in campaign "donations" (really bribes) from the pet industries that are threatened by this reality, still vocally deny the science. Since these politicians are materially threatening the national security of the United States, the Dept. of Homeland Security should detain and interrogate them.

Submitted by MarkW in Environment Jan. 4, 2015, 7:07 p.m. 1

Tweet Share

#1036

152 votes

Expand the Superfund for toxic site clean-up levying additional taxes on all extraction and other industrial businesses generating toxic waste and emissions. Dramatically expand clean-up activities.

Submitted by Timothy Salt in Environment Dec. 16, 2014, 1:32 p.m.

Tweet Share

#1040

151 votes

Who’s voting?

Thanks for voting on your favorite ideas!