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156 Ideas in Foreign Policy & Military

The U.S. should quit giving Israel $3 billion per year for their military. Israel is the 4th largest exporter of weapons globally. Why are we giving them this money? We could put this money into the many domestic services.

Submitted by bcives in Foreign Policy & Military Dec. 18, 2014, 10:01 p.m.
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#423
519 votes

Veterans Administration budget should be included as part of Defense Spending so that voters can see what war really costs the tax payers

Submitted by chas in Foreign Policy & Military Jan. 4, 2015, 4:31 p.m.
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#436
499 votes

Eliminate the embargo of Cuba and normalize relations between our two countries.

Submitted by Creig D. from CA in Foreign Policy & Military Dec. 10, 2014, 4:33 p.m.
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#465
464 votes

Mandatory prosecution of violations of the Geneva Conventions. No exceptions.

Submitted by James Brooks in Foreign Policy & Military Dec. 10, 2014, 3:49 p.m.
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#511
401 votes

Neuter the CIA. Allow them to only do what they're supposed to do: collect intelligence. Their meddling has been the cause of perpetual war, torture, death, and misery for millions of people, and, especially, terrorist attacks like 9/11. No more meddling in other countries' affairs, no more coups, assassinations, torture, imprisonment etc. Collect intelligence and deliver it to the executive branch and military. Eliminate the NSA and all other spy agencies within the government. One is enough.

Submitted by Todd M Smith in Foreign Policy & Military Dec. 18, 2014, 8:29 p.m.
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#525
385 votes

Make sure war profiteering is not an option (or incentive) for large corporations. Limit the profit margin on defense technology, weapons, and military supplies to 10%. If they truly care about contributing to American freedom and national security, why shouldn't they do so with the same patriotic selflessness and devotion as our men and women in uniform who serve for a modest wage? National security is a calling and a responsibility, not a business.

Submitted by Jamie Bryan in Foreign Policy & Military Dec. 26, 2014, 2:45 p.m.
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#527
383 votes

Quit selling arms to any foreign country engaged in a civil war and/or terrorist activities. Punishment for any U.S. Corporation caught selling arms to face forfeiture of ALL Corporate funds and those of the corporate heads as well as any real property that they own. Provide humanitarian aid ONLY.

Submitted by John B. from TX in Foreign Policy & Military Jan. 4, 2015, 7:02 p.m.
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#533
381 votes

The U.S. spends more (682 bil) on defense than China, Russia, Japan and the next 7 largest spenders *combined*! Leon Panetta found over 500 bil to be waste. Why not use that to fund our own failing infrastructure, education, and tax relief instead of pork to the states.

Submitted by Richard W. from VT in Foreign Policy & Military Jan. 2, 2015, 9:39 p.m.
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#550
366 votes
Merged Idea

Open a federal Department of Peace, to be used as a first responder in all situations where there are disagreements with other countries, certainly before we resort to the state department and the department of war, (defense).

Submitted by Rob B. from OR in Foreign Policy & Military Nov. 11, 2014, 5:17 p.m.
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#554
362 votes

Change our foreign policy to stop financially supporting governments who oppress their own people (Saudi Arabia, Israel, Bahrain, etc.); end the failed drug wars (Mexico, Columbia) where our $ goes to corrupt military) End the training of foreign troops at WHISC); stop trade policies which empower international corporations over governments and send jobs overseas.

Submitted by Barbara M. from NY in Foreign Policy & Military Dec. 11, 2014, 12:11 a.m.
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#556
358 votes

No funding for war or military authorizations without concurrent funding for veteran's care and post-deployment rehabilitation.

Submitted by Jeff B in Foreign Policy & Military Jan. 2, 2015, 8:12 p.m.
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#578
339 votes

Reduce the United States' military to an absolute minimum, insuring conversion of the military-industrial complex to peaceful production: e.g. local, regional, national and international rail transportation; re-introduction of tax-payer supported public, low-cost housing etc. etc.

Submitted by Richard F. from CA in Foreign Policy & Military Nov. 17, 2014, 6:44 a.m.
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#597
322 votes

Congress should able to view any and all peace time treaties. For example, Congress should able to view the Trans-pacific pact.

Submitted by Ryan Bradley in Foreign Policy & Military Dec. 10, 2014, 12:41 p.m.
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#620
299 votes

Close Gitmo and find ways of allowing those being held to return to their homes after fair and just trials (not military tribunals).

Submitted by Karen L. Lew in Foreign Policy & Military Dec. 10, 2014, 8:39 p.m.
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#620
299 votes

Hold Israel responsible for its failure to seek a peace settlement with the Palestinians. Implement trade sanctions on the same level as those in place against Iran until Israel removes the illegal "settlements" on Palestinian lands.

Submitted by John Z. from HI in Foreign Policy & Military Dec. 11, 2014, 1:35 p.m.
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#626
297 votes

Assign an Indepedent Special Prosecutor to investigate and report on the former VP Dick Cheney's role in illegal domestic snooping, torture at Guantanamo and via "renditions," and the 9/11 attacks, specifically WTC Building 7's demolition and the mysterious absence of airliner parts in Shankstown, PA, and at the Pentagon.

Submitted by Lew A. (Lincoln) Welge in Foreign Policy & Military Dec. 18, 2014, 10:50 p.m.
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#662
279 votes

So long as the United States commits to sending troops to war, all citizens must be eligible to serve at a certain age. The human costs to military and their families of wars that preserve our 'way of life' must be shared by all. Such policy will severely limit the likelihood of U.S. participation in wars.

Submitted by Lynn C. from NM in Foreign Policy & Military Dec. 9, 2014, 6:28 a.m.
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#702
252 votes

Force the Veterans Affairs in Los Angeles to use the land that was donated to them for purposes of housing Homeless Disabled Veterans.At one time the sole purpose of the West L.A. campus was to house veterans. That began in the late 19th century, when a couple of prominent Californians donated the land to the federal government specifically to create a home for disabled soldiers.NOT STARBUCKS, BANKS,MEGA MALLS,BASEBALL TEAMS! THIS IS AN OUTRAGE!!!

Submitted by Scottie in Foreign Policy & Military Dec. 10, 2014, 7:23 p.m. 1
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#710
247 votes

Reduce military industrial complex spending by 50%. Use the money to double SS and Medicare benefits, fight global warming and improve other social programs.

Submitted by Gordon R. from WA in Foreign Policy & Military Dec. 26, 2014, 11:43 a.m.
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#719
242 votes

Stop wars. Stop expending our money on arms and making big messes all over the world. ISIS is a consequence of the Iraq war.

Submitted by Mercedes N. from GA in Foreign Policy & Military Nov. 18, 2014, 10:40 a.m.
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#721
241 votes
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The Big Ideas Project, launched in December 2014 by the Progressive Change Institute, is a crowd-sourced platform allowing the public, leading policy experts, progressive organizations, celebrities and others to submit and vote on big ideas they believe progressives should champion in 2015 and 2016.

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