I am excited about it, too.  I have already submitted an idea.  And I've already found a flaw with it.  There are so many ideas being submitted (about 10 or 20 per minute per category) that the ideas are almost immediately put behind the current page, buried.  Your idea won't be seen, hence won't be voted on.  It seems like the ideas with all the votes are submitted by people able to reach large numbers outside of the website to pull people towards their particular idea.  So successful bloggers and members of large forums will be the only ones whose ideas will get attention.  Hence the number of votes on marijuana issues.  (I don't have anything agains marijuana, but umm I think it best to focus on real issues right now.)  Next flaw is there is no forum or way to give feedback to the Briefing Book Portal itself!  So, my opinion is that it is a wonderful idea with big fat flaws.

 John Smith started the day early having set his alarm clock  (MADE IN JAPAN) for 6 am. While his coffeepot (MADE IN CHINA ) was perking, he shaved with his electric razor (MADE IN HONG KONG). He put on a dress shirt (MADE IN SRI LANKA), designer jeans (MADE IN SINGAPORE) and tennis shoes (MADE IN KOREA).
      After cooking his breakfast in his new electric skillet (MADE IN INDIA),  he sat down with his calculator (MADE IN MEXICO) to see how much he could spend today. After setting his watch (MADE IN TAIWAN) to the radio (MADE IN INDIA), he got in his car (MADE IN GERMANY),  filled it with GAS (from Saudi Arabia) 
and continued his search for a good paying AMERICAN JOB. 
   At the end of yet another discouraging and fruitless day checking his computer (Made In Malaysia), John decided to relax for awhile. He put on his sandals (MADE IN BRAZIL), poured himself a glass of wine (MADE IN FRANCE) and turned on his TV (MADE IN INDONESIA), and then wondered why he can't find a good-paying job in AMERICA.

I just hope he reads the thing.  There are a few topics, which I won't go into, that don't really rise to the level of national importance, in my opinion.  You'll see.

Vote on your ideas.  Make it a worthwhile venture, not just one controlled by folks who are internet savvy.  Find the ideas you like less and vote them down to give more power to those you like (which you will vote up). 

My favorite is about Lung Cancer, Making It History.  I say my favorite, because in four or five paragraphs I learned a lot that I never knew about the disease.  Check it out.  It's a sad story.

Mr. Whittemore,

Yes, you are right: every American has a stake in improving our country and improving our world (!) In that regard, please visit and blog about a new 'green' way to stop our nation's slide toward a deep depression and at the same time create a new kind of elevated highway where you can travel SAFELY in your own car, which the engine shut off, at about 600 mph. Please vote this idea 'up' to get it in the Citizens Briefing Book. Thanks. Just click on http://citizensbriefingbook.change.gov/ideas/viewIdea.apexp?id=087800000004rv6&srPos=0&srKp=087

Budget: Change mortgage interest deduction to tax credit.

I recognize that there are good reasons to entirely eliminate the mortgage interest deduction but that's a political non-starter.  Thus, my proposal is more modest and is intended to bolster the President's proposal to limit the deduction to 28%.

The idea of limiting the mortgage interest deduction of people in the top tax brackets is a fabulous step in the direction of making the tax structure fairer.  To counteract the opposition to it, I propose changing it from a tax deduction to a tax credit of approximately 28%.  Doing so would make the deduction much less regressive than it currently is while avoiding the argument that that the current proposal penalizes people in the higher brackets and constitutes "class warfare."  Converting the deduction to a credit and allowing everybody to get the same credit should have broad public appeal; i.e. it will be hard for the wealthy to argue that they should get more of a break on their taxes than a less wealthy person who is paying the same mortgage.

The system could be made more progressive by limiting the credit to mortgages below a certain dollar figure, e.g. $750,000 or even $1,000,000. 

Alright,, gonna balk on the PO,, gotcha,, so you need a slider or a curve to throw at the opposition,,

Do the early,,buy in., to medicare for younger fit people that will strengthen the funds and secure it for any and all future generations,,
children,,,and childrens children ,,secure..

Praise the right,, for making you take the time to think about it,,, give grassly the credit,, and his name in history as key to the idea..
MAKE EM FAMOUS!! ala JOE the PLUMBER,,,hehe

I believe it fixes things in many ways ,,on many levels,, and perfect for the present economy.. as it os in bad need of a boost,,  let the American people who are eventually going to depend on it,, invest according to income,, and let it become a self sustaining solid program for the elderly..

Your be engraved into it,, 2nd term,, as it will be the equivelent to the last second swish,,, top of the key,, last sec,,game(nation)saver....
CIVIL RIGHTS,,, bill,, equivelent in history,,,

 save medicare for my grand ma,, Mr President,, Iand save it for my grand kids,,,,,,,,,and their grand kids,,,

Bill Moyergets credit from history from me and mine,,TPM,, wait a sec,,
is it your idea? Leaked to the press!! WOW,,  I should have known,, good job sir,,

you see?
 butter them up and drop it in their laps,,,  standing ovation,, for the righ wing republicans for slowing it down,,giving the doers,, the thinkers,, the leaders,, time,, to think,,,, alright alright,, don't sell the farm..
I think it's brilliuant,,

GOOD LUCK MR PRES
DrJ

Alright,, gonna balk on the PO,, gotcha,, so you need a slider or a curve to throw at the opposition,,

Do the early,,buy in., to medicare for younger fit people that will strengthen the funds and secure it for any and all future generations,,
children,,,and childrens children ,,secure..

Praise the right,, for making you take the time to think about it,,, give grassly the credit,, and his name in history as key to the idea..
MAKE EM FAMOUS!! ala JOE the PLUMBER,,,hehe

I believe it fixes things in many ways ,,on many levels,, and perfect for the present economy.. as it os in bad need of a boost,,  let the American people who are eventually going to depend on it,, invest according to income,, and let it become a self sustaining solid program for the elderly..

Your be engraved into it,, 2nd term,, as it will be the equivelent to the last second swish,,, top of the key,, last sec,,game(nation)saver....
CIVIL RIGHTS,,, bill,, equivelent in history,,,

 save medicare for my grand ma,, Mr President,, Iand save it for my grand kids,,,,,,,,,and their grand kids,,,

Bill Moyergets credit from history from me and mine,,TPM,, wait a sec,,
is it your idea? Leaked to the press!! WOW,,  I should have known,, good job sir,,

you see?
 butter them up and drop it in their laps,,,  standing ovation,, for the righ wing republicans for slowing it down,,giving the doers,, the thinkers,, the leaders,, time,, to think,,,, alright alright,, don't sell the farm..
I think it's brilliuant,,

GOOD LUCK MR PRES
DrJ

What is Obama doing about the DEA busting and taking americans medicine. Daily here in Washington, where Medical Marijuana is legal, the DEA has been raiding medical marijuana dispensaries and takin prescribed medicine from patients as leave them and arrest them for DUIs I can understand the drivin issue, but Obama said he supports legalization but yet he's allowing this to happen, they don't realize how many people are suffering from all of this, there are thousands of people that benefit from using marijuana for all kinds of ailments, versus all the narcotics the drs. prescribed. I've heard many of stories from people about how they were hooked on narcotics such as Oxycotin, Percasets, hydrocodone, morophin, Darvacets the list goes on and on. Many stories are very sad, but at the same time it's nice to see that they've made it passed all that and are able to live a life without a horrible addiction, that actually only makes life worst. So now what do we do about this, whatever it might be it needs to happen in Washington State right now. Too many people are suffering at this moment because of the greedy ass feds that want there money however they can get it. This is BULLSHIT America! How can the President and States be supportive of the use of the medicine and yet the DEA can bust them left and right and take the medicine from patients.