I cannot recommend this article enough. An ex-member of Congress makes the argument - which we've hit several times in 2302 - that the political parties have taken over Congress and have made it largely disfunctional.
He makes a series of suggestions to turn the tide:
1 - Break the power of partisans to keep candidates off the general-election ballot.
2 - Turn over the process of redrawing congressional districts to independent, nonpartisan commissions.
3 - Allow members of any party to offer amendments to any House bill and—with rare exceptions—put those amendments to a vote.
4 - Change the leadership structure of congressional committees.
5 - Fill committee vacancies by lot.
6 - Choose committee staff solely on the basis of professional qualifications.
I recommend a careful read.
