Best idea, since sliced bread, to receive $100,000 prize

Can everyday Americans develop ideas to strengthen our economy and improve the daily life of working families?

SinceSlicedBread.com thinks so, and they're paying to hear what you have to say.

For several weeks, Americans nationwide submitted over 22,000 ideas and now someone will walk away with a grand prize of $100,000 with two runners-up receiving $50,000 each. The top 21 ideas will appear in a 2006 book, and monetary prizes are to be awarded in February.

Further, the winning ideas implementation will be pursued. Since Sliced Bread intends to work with economic leaders on the winning ideas and engage the public and elected officials.

It's all about improving America for Americans, and it's an ingenious idea in going to the source, everyday working Americans, to seek their input on how their lives and jobs could be improved. Jus think how many times you've thought of a way things could be done better; through this contest thousands of Americans got to share just those sort of ideas.

It all began when SinceSlicedBread.com opened a national conversation seeking policy ideas from working Americans for working Americans. For weeks, thousands of Americans submitted their ideas, in 175 words or less, identifying an issue or problem--how they would fix it--and how fixing it would benefit working Americans.

According to their website, The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) sponsored the contest "as part of its continuing commitment to restore the American Dream and to ensure that hard work is valued and rewarded in this country." Believing in "the voice of the American worker," they wanted to "shake up the way public policy is made…"

Here's how it works: Of the thousands of entries received, a distinguished panel of judges (visit their website for full list) will have selected the top 21 entries. You can vote for three ideas beginning January 9 and until January 15. The top 7 ideas will then go into round two of voting from January 16 through January 22.

Meanwhile, you can even review any of the thousands of ideas on the site. From the top three winners, the panel of judges will select the grand prize winner and the two runners-up to receive the cash prizes.

The contest is also giving away a trip to Washington, DC to attend the awards ceremony and t-shirts in their effort to encourage voting. Visit their website to learn about those contests, as well as to read what your fellow Americans think is good for the country and their lives.

As the website indicates, "It's time to hear from and listen to ordinary Americans."

Simply visit SinceSlicedBread.com and let your voice be heard. Vote for the ideas you think will make America better, and encourage others to vote in this ingenious unique contest.