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Increasing Trade, Exports, and Overall Competitiveness : Browse Recent Ideas
1. What could the government do better to help increase trade, exports, and overall competitiveness in the 21st Century?
2. How can we better streamline the government’s trade, export, and competitiveness programs and services?
3. How can we use government resources in trade, exports, and competitiveness more efficiently and effectively?
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This idea is active.Increasing Trade, Exports, and Overall Competitiveness »Add your comment for Idea: www.ideaforthe.us (New website) Won't go away -
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This idea is active.Increasing Trade, Exports, and Overall Competitiveness »Suggest to Congress that they Delegate much more
A modern-day government simply cannot perform well for its people with an anachronistic institution such as the Congress at its heart. Congress needs to learn to delegate A LOT of what it does, not to committees and subcommittees of the Congress but to formal commissions like the BRAC. They need to focus on the big picture, stop including non-germane issues in bills, and dramatically streamline their processes. Invoking ...more »
Add your comment for Idea: Suggest to Congress that they Delegate much moreA modern-day government simply cannot perform well for its people with an anachronistic institution such as the Congress at its heart. Congress needs to learn to delegate A LOT of what it does, not to committees and subcommittees of the Congress but to formal commissions like the BRAC. They need to focus on the big picture, stop including non-germane issues in bills, and dramatically streamline their processes. Invoking Cloture needs to be possible with a simple majority vote and filibusters must require actual non-stop debate, with a quorum present. Representatives and Senators should be subject to the same ethics regulations as Executive Branch employees. I know it sounds harsh, but that's what's necessary.
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2 votes
This idea is active.Increasing Trade, Exports, and Overall Competitiveness »Eliminate Speculation in the Oil Commodity Markets
Add your comment for Idea: Eliminate Speculation in the Oil Commodity MarketsAnnounce a policy that the U.S. will purposely seek to frustrate oil speculators by randomly releasing large amounts of oil from the Strategic Reserve, and randomly purchasing additional amounts. This should suppress speculation and thus lower the price of oil.
The resulting reduced oil prices will dramatically improve our export/import balance.
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2 votes
This idea is active.Increasing Trade, Exports, and Overall Competitiveness »Export Controls
Add your comment for Idea: Export ControlsConsider eliminating the Commerce Department's Export Administration Regulations and limit export controls strictly to the State Department's list.
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1 vote
This idea is active.Increasing Trade, Exports, and Overall Competitiveness »Commnwealth? US Territory? Tax Them Allo
I would love to live in a state that is given billions of dollars by the US Government, yet doesn't have to pay a cent in taxes. Give them the choice, they can have representation and be allowed to vote, pay taxes and continue to accept our money; or they can chose to remain a "US Commonwealth" or "US Territory" and not be given a cent by the US Government. I'm not talking about the billions in foreign aid we spend, ...more »
Add your comment for Idea: Commnwealth? US Territory? Tax Them AlloI would love to live in a state that is given billions of dollars by the US Government, yet doesn't have to pay a cent in taxes. Give them the choice, they can have representation and be allowed to vote, pay taxes and continue to accept our money; or they can chose to remain a "US Commonwealth" or "US Territory" and not be given a cent by the US Government. I'm not talking about the billions in foreign aid we spend, I'm talking about Puerto Rico, Samoa and the Virgin Islands. Time for them to make the decision as to whether or not they want to be American.
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This idea is active.Increasing Trade, Exports, and Overall Competitiveness »International Trade Market Research Unit w/i Commerce Dept
Add your comment for Idea: International Trade Market Research Unit w/i Commerce DeptMany foreign governments place import tariffs or duties on goods that can be supplied domestically. These are avoided when U.S. products are either outside the product limits of foreign country producers or when demand exceeds their domestic supply. Have a market research department perform studies to determine where these conditions are prevalent and work with U.S. suppliers to meet that demand.
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2 votes
This idea is active.Increasing Trade, Exports, and Overall Competitiveness »Centralized Teleconference Support Center for Fed. Govt! $AVE
It seems like every Agency and Department has their own and I recently saw their budget for one Agency, wow! It is time we have centralized services across the federal government and mandate they be used. One service center, one budget, one contract. It doesn't have to be all of audio visual just the teleconference piece that can be easily managed remotely. Book a line on web or call a call center to schedule. No ...more »
1 comment for Idea: Centralized Teleconference Support Center for Fed. Govt! $AVEIt seems like every Agency and Department has their own and I recently saw their budget for one Agency, wow!
It is time we have centralized services across the federal government and mandate they be used. One service center, one budget, one contract. It doesn't have to be all of audio visual just the teleconference piece that can be easily managed remotely.
Book a line on web or call a call center to schedule. No more using an up to 15 line for a meeting that has 20 participants - better options at less price and lower redundancy!
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6 votes
This idea is active.Increasing Trade, Exports, and Overall Competitiveness »Smokers should Fund their own Smoke Breaks
6 comments for Idea: Smokers should Fund their own Smoke BreaksMany Government employees who smoke take regular smoke breaks while on the clock, often wasting 10 to 15 minutes per work-hour. If an employee wishes to smoke, he/she should be required to take annual leave for the non-work time. The Federal Government should not be paying his/her salary while the employee leaves his duty station to take smoke breaks.
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3 votes
This idea is active.Increasing Trade, Exports, and Overall Competitiveness »End Public Transit Subsidy
3 comments for Idea: End Public Transit SubsidyEnd the monthly public transit subsidy for federal employees. Federal workers should pay their own communting costs in getting to and from work whether they elect to use public or private transportation.
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3 votes
This idea is active.Increasing Trade, Exports, and Overall Competitiveness »Tuition Reimbursement for Non Govt Courses
3 comments for Idea: Tuition Reimbursement for Non Govt CoursesMany Govt Agencies reimburse employees 100% tuition costs for all College, Review Classes, Certification Fees, and Non-Government courses. Suggest the employee be required to pay at least 50% of the costs for their tuition and fees.
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3 votes
This idea is active.Increasing Trade, Exports, and Overall Competitiveness »It pays to advertise
Add your comment for Idea: It pays to advertiseLet U.S. companies pay to have their names/logos on NASA's rockets and other spacecraft. Let them pay for naming-rights on U.S. Navy ships and submarines. "U.S.S. Geico", that sort of thing. We name subs after cities and states, so why not make some money by letting companies buy/lease the naming rights? We're a capitalist country, and that would make a statement about the power of capitalism.
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2 votes
This idea is active.Increasing Trade, Exports, and Overall Competitiveness »Maximize use of public/private partnerships
1 comment for Idea: Maximize use of public/private partnershipsThere are many great minds in the USA, some of which work in the public sector and some that work in the private sector. Why don’t we maximize the power of public/private partnerships to address some of the big challenges facing the nation? Together we have a much better chance of success.
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6 votes
This idea is active.Increasing Trade, Exports, and Overall Competitiveness »Community member
Add your comment for Idea: Community memberTax law should be reformed to prevent individuals who never pay a penny to IRS from getting tax refunds. Nobody should ever receive more than they pay in. And someone who NEVER pays in should NEVER get a refund. Additionally, all government payments, including farm program payments, should be taxed off the top. We are desperately in need of tax reform.
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3 votes
This idea is active.Increasing Trade, Exports, and Overall Competitiveness »Too many high grades in Military and Civilian government
Once upon a time you could explain the hierarchy as a triangle with the Chief at the top and the peons at the bottom. Today it appears the triangle is almost inverted. The government needs to streamline a bit and lose the multiple high grades. Also, why make someone who has lots of experience doing the work become a 'chief' and not be able to do input. Finally, don't put someone in charge who does not understand what ...more »
1 comment for Idea: Too many high grades in Military and Civilian governmentOnce upon a time you could explain the hierarchy as a triangle with the Chief at the top and the peons at the bottom. Today it appears the triangle is almost inverted. The government needs to streamline a bit and lose the multiple high grades. Also, why make someone who has lots of experience doing the work become a 'chief' and not be able to do input. Finally, don't put someone in charge who does not understand what is going on.
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This idea is active.Increasing Trade, Exports, and Overall Competitiveness »Closer working relationship betwen government offices
With DFAS, frequently there is a need for an updated address on servicemembers who separate, change their address many times and are due money with no knowledge that funds are due or debts have been created. If the Social Security Administration, Internal Revenue Service and other agencies would be more in tune with sharing information, DFAS would not have to pay a credit agency for the information. Let's work together. ...more »
2 comments for Idea: Closer working relationship betwen government officesWith DFAS, frequently there is a need for an updated address on servicemembers who separate, change their address many times and are due money with no knowledge that funds are due or debts have been created. If the Social Security Administration, Internal Revenue Service and other agencies would be more in tune with sharing information, DFAS would not have to pay a credit agency for the information. Let's work together.
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6 votes
This idea is active.Increasing Trade, Exports, and Overall Competitiveness »Bring the jobs home, helps business and workers
Any U.S. company that brings its outsourced jobs back to the U.S. should be given a tax-break for every American worker it hires to fill those jobs. Any company that re-opens a closed factory here should also get a tax break. Any foreign company that opens a new factory in the U.S. and hires Americans to work here should also get a tax break. The loss of corporate tax revenue would be replaced by the now-employed workers' ...more »
Add your comment for Idea: Bring the jobs home, helps business and workersAny U.S. company that brings its outsourced jobs back to the U.S. should be given a tax-break for every American worker it hires to fill those jobs. Any company that re-opens a closed factory here should also get a tax break. Any foreign company that opens a new factory in the U.S. and hires Americans to work here should also get a tax break. The loss of corporate tax revenue would be replaced by the now-employed workers' income tax payments. Companies outsource because it saves them money; make it even more attractive to bring the jobs back to the U.S. The corporate execs would have bigger bonuses to buy bigger yachts and the American workers would be employed. It's a win-win for business, workers, and the government's revenue stream.
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3 votes
This idea is active.Increasing Trade, Exports, and Overall Competitiveness »Voting Reform
3 comments for Idea: Voting ReformRequire a government-issued photo ID such as a driver's license at the ballot box for voting.
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5 votes
This idea is active.Increasing Trade, Exports, and Overall Competitiveness »Energy Incentives
The Government doesn't do enough to encourage use of alternative energy sources Energy companies penalize people who have wind turbines by charging them a fee for having it connected to their home. This fee offsets any benefits achieved by having the turbine. The Government should offer incentives to HOMEOWNERS for alternative energy sources and should make it illegal for energy companies to charge the homeowner for ...more »
Add your comment for Idea: Energy IncentivesThe Government doesn't do enough to encourage use of alternative energy sources Energy companies penalize people who have wind turbines by charging them a fee for having it connected to their home. This fee offsets any benefits achieved by having the turbine. The Government should offer incentives to HOMEOWNERS for alternative energy sources and should make it illegal for energy companies to charge the homeowner for alternative energy sources.
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4 votes
This idea is active.Increasing Trade, Exports, and Overall Competitiveness »Impose Tariffs on China
1 comment for Idea: Impose Tariffs on ChinaWe must draw the line in the sand with regard to China in order to loosen their strangle hold on our economy by imposing a 20 percent tariff on all goods produced in China. That tariff should be raised by 5 percent each year that China refuses to revalue its currency.
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3 votes
This idea is active.Increasing Trade, Exports, and Overall Competitiveness »DoD Hiring Practices
DoD, DFAS in particular, needs to stop hiring interns non-competitively and promote from within offering seasoned employees the opportunity to advance. Or at least offer the intern program to military veterans who have served their country. Mrs. Obama was just in town yesterday urging business owners to hire veterans and their spouses. We need to start with our own DoD programs. The veterans deserve the opportunity! ...more »
1 comment for Idea: DoD Hiring PracticesDoD, DFAS in particular, needs to stop hiring interns non-competitively and promote from within offering seasoned employees the opportunity to advance. Or at least offer the intern program to military veterans who have served their country. Mrs. Obama was just in town yesterday urging business owners to hire veterans and their spouses. We need to start with our own DoD programs. The veterans deserve the opportunity! Thank you for your consideration.
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This idea is active.Increasing Trade, Exports, and Overall Competitiveness »TAX THE RICH! PERIOD
It does not take a scientist to figure this one out. They more you make the more you pay period!. Leave the little guy alone, leave the poor people along and far most, leave the ELDERLY ALONE! Elderly people have already paid in why is everyone in the Government wanting to take everything away from them? Tax the rich at higher rates, make them pay the higher of the highest property taxes, school taxes and federal ...more »
3 comments for Idea: TAX THE RICH! PERIODIt does not take a scientist to figure this one out. They more you make the more you pay period!. Leave the little guy alone, leave the poor people along and far most, leave the ELDERLY ALONE! Elderly people have already paid in why is everyone in the Government wanting to take everything away from them? Tax the rich at higher rates, make them pay the higher of the highest property taxes, school taxes and federal taxes. We as the middle class are sick of getting picked apart, and the elderly, well need I say more. The Government is out of control in spending so why not get the money from the Rich that have it to pay?
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This idea is active.Increasing Trade, Exports, and Overall Competitiveness »AID FOREIGN COUNTRIES WITH $ FOR EDUCATION
Add your comment for Idea: AID FOREIGN COUNTRIES WITH $ FOR EDUCATIONForeign aid should be used to educate citizens of other countries - not to Quaddafi who keeps the money while his people eat out of trash cans. Education should be the 2nd human right of all people, second to freedom (i.e., speech, religion, to bare arms, etc).
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3 votes
This idea is active.Increasing Trade, Exports, and Overall Competitiveness »Inflated salaries in developing countries
Wouldn't it be a better to pay locals in Afghanistan and Iraq the going salary rate in their countries instead of the current inflated international rate? Better for the locals because we could put more of them to work to rebuild their own infrastructure and better for us because less expensive. Salaries in Germany after the war were moderate and look how quickly they rebuilt their country. Locals working for the internationals ...more »
Add your comment for Idea: Inflated salaries in developing countriesWouldn't it be a better to pay locals in Afghanistan and Iraq the going salary rate in their countries instead of the current inflated international rate? Better for the locals because we could put more of them to work to rebuild their own infrastructure and better for us because less expensive. Salaries in Germany after the war were moderate and look how quickly they rebuilt their country. Locals working for the internationals at inflated rates scew the whole economy.
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4 votes
This idea is active.Increasing Trade, Exports, and Overall Competitiveness »Contractors
1 comment for Idea: ContractorsWhy are contractors in Iraq and Afghanistan making such exorbitant salaries? Huge rip-off of the U.S. government.
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5 votes
This idea is active.Increasing Trade, Exports, and Overall Competitiveness »Education is the key
Education is the key. We need to spend more for better education for our children. Without good education, America will lose its edge and lose out on the job front. Money spent for education is an investment in the future. There are so many smart underpriveleged kids we could tap into. With some effort, we could have them contributing far more to society and feeling better about themselves. Math and science are especially ...more »
Add your comment for Idea: Education is the keyEducation is the key. We need to spend more for better education for our children. Without good education, America will lose its edge and lose out on the job front. Money spent for education is an investment in the future. There are so many smart underpriveleged kids we could tap into. With some effort, we could have them contributing far more to society and feeling better about themselves. Math and science are especially important for the future.
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