We can't get out of this mess at the next election.

Consider this choice facing a smart, capable, motivated young person:

     (a)     Enter the corporate world and rise to a prominent position of power and wealth;

     or

     (b)     Take additional education and enter the respected and secure world of the professions.

     or

     (c)     Enter the world of politics and rise to a prominent position in the government.

For most young people, this is a no-brainer.  Corporate executives can command people and resources to accomplish corporate objectives.  Successful professionals have high civic status and a decent annual income, leading to a secure retirement.  But politicians are widely hated, constantly abused, and obsessed with the task of raising enough contributions to get through the next elections.  Instead of working for the public good, they are forced to focus on political survival.

One result is the lack of outstanding people willing to enter politics.Their real world career decisions mean that many elections, both primary and general, are uncontested (de facto or literally).  This condition has been exaggerated by the partisan gerrymandering of Congressional districts.

The electoral process no longer provides the people a check on government -- you can throw out the incumbent bastard, it's true, but only to install the bastard from the opposite party.  The public can't succeed in getting good people to elect unless those good people are on the ballot.

And by and large, they're not.

We need to  overhaul our federal government.  An awesome task, but the consequences of political deadlock on our children and grandchildren  are unacceptable.