Suggest a new topic for ObamaCTO.org. Winners appear on the home page.
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3 votes
Multiuse Bridge Upgrades
Lifespan - A Resource- and Energy-Efficient Multi-use Bridge Concept
A major focus of the new administration is the repair of the nation’s crumbling infrastructure, including much needed bridge replacements. Rather than simply replacing the current bridge structures with ones that merely fulfill the function of conveying vehicles, a more efficient and creative solution would be to design structures that serve multiple functions. At http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plNsDEPyprk is a Youtube video presentation detailing a concept known as Lifespan which combines a bridge structure with a multi-use high-rise.
The concept’s rationale is that land required for multi-use structures could be spared by combining dwelling, commercial, community, and professional space with parking levels, mass-transit & bridge decks in a single structural support system. The construction of such an edifice would require no more land than is needed for a typical river crossing, yet the occupants would enjoy the multiple benefits of waterfront living. The land spared from development could then be used for agriculture or parklands. Combining uses would also reduce the need for automobile traffic, since occupants could potentially rely solely upon the structure’s vertical circulation system to carry out daily activities without the need to commute by automobile. Off-site travel would be accomplished through a mass-transit system incorporated into the structure.
Many major urban centers are built upon waterfronts, yet the current bridges provide merely a means of linking to the opposite shore. The Lifespan concept would make the bridge into a destination as well as vehicular conveyance. By utilizing wind, solar, and water currents for power generation, these structures could also be energy-autonomous, providing living and working space without burdening current energy reserves.
Implementation of the Lifespan concept would not only enhance many urban skylines and provide a tremendously appealing ‘urban neighborhood’, but would also demonstrate a commitment to environmental awareness and resource efficiency.
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3 votes
A Job Creation Network
We have a challenge in our country - Millions of jobs are going away. We have some of the most innovative businesses in the world within our borders, we also have some of the most innovative minds in the world. Some of which will be out of work either now or in the not too distant future. This of course doesn't count the millions who are uncertain about what the future of the job that currently have will be, or are working in a job that has no future, no hope.
What we need is a forum (initially perhaps as simple as that) where employers who need work done of any kind - including contract work - with a certification on the sign-up for employers to filter out the bad opportunities.
It would also be a place where people who are out of work could band together and create new businesses - new jobs, and definitely new innovations.
As a part of registering for Unemployment you would be registered as a part of this forum.
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5 votes
Build the Trans-Global Highway (TransGlobalHighway.com)
The Trans Global Highway would physically link by highways and by rail transport, all continents and major population centers. It would allow rapid transport of raw materials and finished goods from near and far. In addition, the Trans Global Highway would offer a conduit for gas, oil and water pipelines, as well as communication and electric power cables. From a technical point of view, the entire road and rail network is feasible, utilizing the engineering, materials and technology of today. The Trans Global Highway would undoubtedly increase global security through mutually dependent trade and commerce.
The Trans-Global Highway would include:
1. Road transport
2. Railroads
3. Oil and gas pipelines
4. Electric and communication cables
5. Fresh water pipelines could minimize the concern of flooding as presented in the theory of global warming.Full report at www.TransGlobalHighway.com
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1 votes
Palestine peace - I have a comment to make re this, but th
I have a comment to make in this regard, particularly since what is happening now, but there does not appear any provision to be able to make a comment on matters other than what you elect to show on your Website. Wolud it be possible for you to make provision for 'ad hoc' comments ? would be grateful if you can make such provision.
Thank you,
Ernest
[email protected] -
4 votes
Lower mortgage interest rates for all existing mortgages
Obama should have the interest rates on all existing mortgages lowered which would put more money in taxpayers wallets, which in turn would create true stimulus.
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15 votes
REWARD BUSINESSES NOT TAKING LAIDOFF/OFFSHORING ROUTES
SINCE MANY COMPANIES ARE NOW DOING LAIDOFF CAUSE OTHERS ARE DOING IT, FOR THOSE THAT CAN SUSTAIN THEIR EMPLOYEES SHOULD BE REWARDED WITH TAX BREAKS OR SOMETHING. AND IF THE COMPANY CAN AFFORD TO HIRE PEOPLE, WHY CAN'T THE COMPANY GET SOME AIDS FROM THE GOVERNMENT? WHY WAITING FOR THE COMPANY TO READY TO FILE BANKRUPTCY THEN HELP? BY THEN, COMPANY ALREADY IN TROUBLE AND ALREADY SENT THEIR EMPLOYEES OUT THE DOOR. ALSO, COMPANIES NOT DOING OFFSHORING SHOULD GET SOME BENEFITS AS WELL. OTHERWISE, MORE JOBS WILL GET CUT IN THE U.S.
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28 votes
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11 votes
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1 votes
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1 votes
Put Govt. Liason in Bailout Companies
Instead of blindly providing banks and auto makers with billions of dollars, immediately create jobs within those institutions by placing Govt. Liasons in those companies to "watchdog" the spending. The persons should not be former employees in the industry or politicians but intellects, scholars of economics and business. Their jobs would be to consult and act as a watchdog. If such a position was part of the CitiCorp meeting in which they discussed luxury jets, do you think it would have even made it to the agenda? Big Brother can't watch these companies from Washington. They have to be on the inside and the inside can't have a choice in the matter. Want the money? Here's the rules. 1. Any bonuses, training at 5 star hotels, jets, or "renovations" to luxury offices exceeding "X" must be approved by the liason and posted for the general public. Our money. Our knowledge.
2.A liason has to be inside and along side all budgetary meetings and decisions.Information is power. Whatever is going on with this money has to be "viewed" and approved before it is spent. Not after. These crooks are the best at making reports and data say what they want it to say. Only people on the inside know what is really going on. If I want to know what is going on with my son's education, I open his book bag and see what's in there or more importantly what is NOT in there. I don't wait for the report card and say, "oh my gosh, what happened. I trusted you would do the right thing." The analogy, these executives/institutions are acting like children - treat them like children. Rules and discipline!!!
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1 votes
Put Govt. Liason in Bailout Companies
Instead of blindly providing banks and auto makers with billions of dollars, immediately create jobs within those institutions by placing Govt. Liasons in those companies to "watchdog" the spending. The persons should not be former employees in the industry or politicians but intellects, scholars of economics and business. Their jobs would be to consult and act as a watchdog. If such a position was part of the CitiCorp meeting in which they discussed luxury jets, do you think it would have even made it to the agenda? Big Brother can't watch these companies from Washington. They have to be on the inside and the inside can't have a choice in the matter. Want the money? Here's the rules. 1. Any bonuses, training at 5 star hotels, jets, or "renovations" to luxury offices exceeding "X" must be approved by the liason and posted for the general public. Our money. Our knowledge.
2.A liason has to be inside and along side all budgetary meetings and decisions.Information is power. Whatever is going on with this money has to be "viewed" and approved before it is spent. Not after. These crooks are the best at making reports and data say what they want it to say. Only people on the inside know what is really going on. If I want to know what is going on with my son's education, I open his book bag and see what's in there or more importantly what is NOT in there. I don't wait for the report card and say, "oh my gosh, what happened. I trusted you would do the right thing." The analogy, these executives/institutions are acting like children - treat them like children. Rules and discipline!!!
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1 votes
Put Govt. Liason in Bailout Companies
Instead of blindly providing banks and auto makers with billions of dollars, immediately create jobs within those institutions by placing Govt. Liasons in those companies to "watchdog" the spending. The persons should not be former employees in the industry or politicians but intellects, scholars of economics and business. Their jobs would be to consult and act as a watchdog. If such a position was part of the CitiCorp meeting in which they discussed luxury jets, do you think it would have even made it to the agenda? Big Brother can't watch these companies from Washington. They have to be on the inside and the inside can't have a choice in the matter. Want the money? Here's the rules. 1. Any bonuses, training at 5 star hotels, jets, or "renovations" to luxury offices exceeding "X" must be approved by the liason and posted for the general public. Our money. Our knowledge.
2.A liason has to be inside and along side all budgetary meetings and decisions.Information is power. Whatever is going on with this money has to be "viewed" and approved before it is spent. Not after. These crooks are the best at making reports and data say what they want it to say. Only people on the inside know what is really going on. If I want to know what is going on with my son's education, I open his book bag and see what's in there or more importantly what is NOT in there. I don't wait for the report card and say, "oh my gosh, what happened. I trusted you would do the right thing." The analogy, these executives/institutions are acting like children - treat them like children. Rules and discipline!!!
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1 votes
ENACT A FLAT RATE INCOME TAX AND DISMANTLE IRS
Though the IRS employees would not like this I believe everyone would. Charge everyone 10-15% and give no deductions. It is simple and would be cost effective. People would become more honest and not try to cheat govt. anymore or hire fancy attorneys for tax dodges. Please do this...
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1 votes
Insist the Nancy Pelosi MOVE TO WA. D.C.
Any other employee has to relocate to be near their place of employment so WHY do the poor people and taxpayers have to supply her with a personal jet to the tune of over $1 million a year?! She needs to get a grip! And so does the govt. who's paying for this huge waste of "our money."
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1 votes
Please make ENGLISH the ONLY language we speak in US
Just think of how much money the States and Feds would save just by not printing every bit of information in other languages to cater to people who need to learn to speak English if they're going to live here.
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3 votes
social security- reward for those who give it back
Many people receive social security without needing it. Why not reward those who wish to give it back? It would relieve pressures on the system. Perhaps a reward in the form of
a benefit credit towards inheritance taxes.
Thus, it would be a way for the rich to give more to their children and grandchildren. -
1 votes
USE UMBILICAL CORDS for STEM CELL and NOT BABIES
There is no need to get the stem calls for research from unborn or already born babies except in the form of umbilical cords from babies already born.
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3 votes
Open fiber networks EU style rather than $$$ to incumbents
The current NewsWeek (mid-January) indicates the Obama team might tilt toward "the same old, same old" via tax incentives to incumbents like AT&T, Verizon and Comcast. Seemingly no awareness of the "open fiber" (to the premise) model shown so effective in EU and elsewhere. Worrisome!
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2 votes
Stop wasting money by redecorating the white house
Why does every president "have to" spend tons of money to redo something that is already just fine?
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3 votes
regional and organic agriculture
Agribusiness grew out of left-over chemicals from the bomb making business of World War II. We need to re-regionalize and localize agriculture and invest in soil building to improve fertility, prevent soil erosion and grow healthy, organic food. By growing food in regionally, through investment in small farms rather than in the massive agribusiness that controls our food supply today we will improve the environment and the health of our citizens. We will help to solve the energy crisis and global warming by not transporting food the average of 1500 miles each item now travels. Read Michael Pollan's Farmer in Chief article in the New York Times of October and follow this excellent advice to grow food in cities' school yards, home yards, vacant land and farms near to cities . Green our roofs with food growing systems.
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1 votes
Stop putting on expensive dinners to entertain people
We who are paying taxes to "the govt" which is really US are cutting way back on our entertaining and I believe Washington DC ought to be doing that too.
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1 votes
Keep your word to us to SLASH STUPID UNNESSARY SPENDING
Stop the indiscriminate spending for stupid things that the govt. feels they have the right to waste our money on. That will help pay for the really important things such as jobs and health care!
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53 votes
Universal Technology for Schools - build the economy and all
Build that "information superhighway" to every American school. Each school needs real, high-speed, broadband connections and wireless support which can enable students to use laptops. handhelds, and mobile phones to bring information and communications access to every student. We need to train our students in the use of 21st Century Technology, and how to leverage that technology for education, in jobs, to overcome disabilities and disadvantages, and to improve democracy.
We can join this to a Universal Design Technology initiative which insists that our schools use the ubiquitous technologies of the age to support student learning. From free text-to-speech systems for those with learning disabilities to mobile learning supports for those without economic advantages, from accessible websites for those with visual impairments to alternate keyboards for those struggling with dexterity. And including a nationwide commitment to text-to-speech systems to support literacy development.
Currently, US schools privilege 15th Century "Gutenberg" technology, which limits access to success to a small group of elites. Embracing Universal Design technology opens a world of possibilities, and installing this is an "every town" stimulus package.
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2 votes
a book of "green stamps" which would purchase U.S bonds
I found a savings stamps book from WW II. Buy $18.75 worth of stamps and turn it in to get a $25
Series E War Bond. We could do this to finance our present wars or finance the bail-out, or something like the conservation corp. -
1 votes
Ban the words "African American" "Latin American," etc.
As far as I am concerned we are all AMERICANS and to add the other ethnic words to it is just devisive and keeps stirring the pot of anger. Let's just unite and be the Americans we are.
