The Big Ideas Project

I want to make sure that older americans over 60 can get a job if they choose to have one at the rate of their education and experience.

Submitted by Francine Sterud in Economy & Jobs Jan. 4, 2015, 5:02 p.m.

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#876

188 votes

National youth service employment program

Submitted by Carl C. from CA in Economy & Jobs Nov. 11, 2014, 3:54 p.m.

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#876

188 votes

Have businesses that complain that there is no one who has the skills to do the jobs they have create a scholarship fund providing college education for those who choose to OBTAIN the skill level that certain employers want instead of using OUR tax money to provide two years of "college education" free to anyone for anything that students may want to do.

Submitted by disgusted with "experts" in Economy & Jobs Jan. 15, 2015, 10:33 a.m.

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#884

187 votes

Our good jobs being outsourced overseas is at the root of most of our economic problems. We now need to get the National Employment Recovery Act (NERA) and the Bring Jobs Home Act (BJHA) enacted. You are right, it IS all about money and here is the solution. http://www.facebook.com/NationalEmploymentRecoveryAct and http://www.petitions.moveon.org/sign/support-nera-the-national?source=c.em&r_by=5254576

Submitted by Richard N. Cox in Economy & Jobs Dec. 26, 2014, 2:29 p.m.

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#893

184 votes

Social Security Part B: A universal savings account given to every citizen from birth. Low- and low-middle income citizens are given matching grants to encourage savings and build capital for the bottom 90% of Americans who own little to none. Grant a "Baby Bond" for these citizens at birth that accumulates interest and isn't available until adulthood.

Submitted by Mark in Economy & Jobs Dec. 31, 2014, 4:01 p.m.

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#897

183 votes

Allow homeowners to buyout their mortgage at the discounted amount when sold to an investor. Lehman Bros. sold loans for as little as 23 cents/$; New Century- 35 cents/$. There are still over 5m homeowners under water. HAMP & HARP have made hedge fund managers even more wealthy.

Submitted by Woody Thomas in Economy & Jobs Dec. 10, 2014, 6:56 p.m.

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#901

182 votes

Significantly raise the minimum wage with accompanying tax breaks for small businesses.

Submitted by Dani D. from IA in Economy & Jobs Nov. 21, 2014, 5:43 p.m.

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#909

180 votes

A job for anyone willing and able to work.

Submitted by Kathryn Harris Tijerina in Economy & Jobs Dec. 9, 2014, 9:30 a.m.

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#922

177 votes

Create a publicly owned Bank of the United States. Model this bank ofter North Dakota's successful public bank. This bank would compete with the private sector banks and would be self supporting, requiring no tax-payer dollars to function. This bank would be prohibited from engaging in risky investments and provide a solid buffer for the financial industry in case of recession, as North Dakota's bank did.

Submitted by N Sweeney in Economy & Jobs Dec. 17, 2014, 4:44 p.m.

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#927

176 votes

Add a 5% sales tax on corporate stock buy-backs. This will limit this tactic, which is predominantly about greater earnings for senior management and investors and NOT about the real economy where investment leads to jobs and living wages, etc. Use the tax revenue to expand unemployment insurance, welfare, food stamp programs, etc.

Submitted by Y. Sam in Economy & Jobs Jan. 10, 2015, 12:23 p.m.

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#937

174 votes

Bring back the Civilian Conservation Corps. Put Veterans to work using this program and invest in our National and State Parks while helping Military Men and Women get jobs once they've decided to return to Civilian life. We NEED to invest in our Natural Historic Places. Monuments, Parks, and our returning Veterans.

Submitted by D.T. in Economy & Jobs Dec. 19, 2014, 9:52 a.m.

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#937

174 votes

Support the legalization and market viability of cannabis 110%. Support open market and fair taxation (like Colorado, not WA). Cannabis is safer than alcohol and should be treated as the natural resource our nation needs. Fighting legalization is not progressive.

Submitted by Infinitopolis in Economy & Jobs Dec. 10, 2014, 11:23 a.m.

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#960

170 votes

The US Office of Personnel Management should grant the unemployed top priority when they are applying for Federal jobs. In other words, give the unemployed like the 99ers with "Unemployment Preference" like the government gives to veterans --- Veteran Preference..

Submitted by TIGERPAW in Economy & Jobs Dec. 19, 2014, 5:28 a.m.

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#970

167 votes

Free and Fair union elections.

Submitted by Mark R. from FL in Economy & Jobs Dec. 10, 2014, 4:20 p.m.

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#970

167 votes

Prevent credit score checks from affecting credit scores. Credit scores should only reflect one's record for paying debts on time. And credit checks should not be permissible by anyone except the individual and a potential creditor.

Submitted by Timothy Salt in Economy & Jobs Dec. 16, 2014, 4:14 p.m.

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#978

165 votes

Pass laws that will modify behavior of the oligarchs. Hard prison time for: moving corp. headquarters offshore to avoid taxes, accounting manipulations that falsely claim profits were accrued outside the U.S., market manipulations ala CA power crisis, union busting, when total compensation ratio of CEO to median nonmanagement is > 200:1

Submitted by ejglab in Economy & Jobs Dec. 18, 2014, 9:54 p.m.

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#980

164 votes

instead of raising the age for full retirement benefits for social security, raise the amount of income subject to social security withholding. an offiice worker is physically able to work more years than a laborer working on a physically demanding job.

Submitted by elaine f. from FL in Economy & Jobs Dec. 18, 2014, 8:58 a.m.

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#991

161 votes

educate the public about the true nature of macroeconomics. it's ok to use deficit spending in a recession/depression. government spending increases jobs and govt revenue. there will never be a better time (lower interest rates) than now to invest in infrastructure, R&D, education. the conservative argument that "we can't afford it" and "there's just so much money" trumps all in the public mind. we must show that the argument is wrong. democracy is threatened by an ignorant public/

Submitted by Marybeth in Economy & Jobs Dec. 10, 2014, 1:25 p.m.

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#999

160 votes

Tie the environment in with job training and the economy. Developing the algal and bacterial oil by pumping in excess carbon dioxide and recycled water in a solar panel container gives off oxygen, clean energy, and safe alternative oils. Wind, solar, and waste (projects in Canada, U. S. and elsewhere) show how the technology can be developed at better prices than fossil fuel, reduce pollutants, provide careers, and boost the income for the working and middle class while slowing climate change

Submitted by DrDSW in Economy & Jobs Jan. 4, 2015, 8:09 p.m.

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#999

160 votes

Federal Gov't should initiate a huge program to expand employee ownership of businesses. If needed, make long term fixed rate loans available to worthy employees (15 yr, fixed rate 1.5% -- same as rich corn farmers pay for loans to build grain bins). Firms must pass muster with sound business plans and have a good track record. [Campaigns to raise the minimum wage won't meet the needs of workers and families.]

Submitted by Rolfe L. from MN in Economy & Jobs Dec. 26, 2014, 3:41 p.m.

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#1008

158 votes

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