Since Sliced Bread

Why is it that in an era of huge technological breakthroughs, Washington hasn't produced any great ideas to improve the lives of working families in nearly four decades?

Ideas like Medicare, Social Security, forty-hour work week and unemployment insurance have helped millions achieve the American Dream. They continue to be important and very relevant, but they're ancient history, in a way. Where are the bold ideas to meet today's new global economy?

Our political system has lost touch with ordinary Americans and stopped listening to them. Washington is more like a cesspool than a fountain of new ideas. And the "experts" have not been successful. Beginning today, every American, from the janitor to the community college student will have a place to share and debate their ideas.

Since Sliced Bread is "a national contest for fresh, common sense ideas to strengthen our economy and improve the day-to-day lives of working men and women." It invites all Americans to come forward with ideas on how to create new businesses and good-paying jobs. It's looking for creative ways to give American workers an edge in a global economy and ways for them to keep it.

The deadline is December 5th. A panel of distinguished Americans across party and professional lines, including Bill Bradley, Ed Rollins, Esther Dyson, Mellody Hobson and Wendy Kopp, will select the top 21 ideas, and then the public will vote online to determine the top three winners (to be announced in early February). Grand prize is $100,000, and two runners-up will receive $50,000 each.

Ordinary Americans need to fill the idea void in our current political system. The ideas are out there; they just haven't reached Washington. It's time for a change in the way policy is developed. I invite all Americans to join this important national conversation about the future.