Change.org Top Ten 'Ideas for Change in America' Winners Announced

Change.org's "Ideas for Change in America" contest (previously covered on FM here) ended yesterday with a press conference at the National Press Club in Washington. The ideas were presented to Macon Phillips, the Director of New Media (and change.gov), who represented the transition team at the event. As Phillips noted in his address following the ceremony, the Obama administration will be taking citizen-driven efforts like change.org's seriously, as it attempts to engage Americans in their civic responsibilities.

The overall initiative was very successful, according to change.org. Almost 8,000 ideas poured in, with more than 600,000 votes cast. Change.org counts almost 175,000 participants in the initiative. Nonprofits will step in next to champion each idea, turning it into actual policy.

Here are the ideas themselves:

• Pass the DREAM Act - Support Higher Education for All Students
• Appoint Secretary of Peace in Department of Peace and Non-Violence
• Free Single Payer Health Care
• Develop and Implement a National Strategy for Sustainability
• Pass Marriage Equality Rights for LGBT Couples Nationwide
• Make the grid green in 10 years
• Legalize the Medicinal and Recreational Use of Marijuana
• Get FISA Right, repeal the PATRIOT Act, and restore our civil liberties
• Save Small Business From the CPSIA
• Health Freedom IS Our First Freedom

Each idea seems to represent the influence of the Millennial Generation on our nation's political discourse, with sustainability efforts, LGBT rights, and a focus on higher education being a few examples.

I'm very interested to see where this process goes, as we ramp up efforts toward what Kevin labels "user-generated government." While this progress is great, we can't stop here. We need to continue innovating new ways for all Americans to participate in governance.