Its really no longer Dem vs Rep, its the people vs the corrupt political class and their pals.
The answer in my opinion is in a serious reform to our campaign finance system. Gotta get big money and lobbyists out of the picture and let our leaders govern without the heavy burden of fund raising which seems to be much to high on their priority list.
Step one, did big money corrupt the politicians or did the politicians corrupt big money? I suspect the latter. So whatever reforms are adopted we have to acknowledge the politicians will go right back to corruption if any loopholes are left open.
Here's my suggestion, if you are an elected official and you tell a lie FELONY punishable by 10 years in prison.
Money and power corrupt but accountablity can counter balance. In our partisan climate people on both sides are always trying to demonize their opposition and call them liars. Given that climate how do you think we would ever get smart quality leaders with a 10 year prison sentence on the line. Our politics would turn into a series of court battles and get even more gridlocked as it is now.
If you are a private citizen you are subject to gobs of government laws and regulations, break them and government will perp walk your ass to prison. The problem is members of congress are virtually immune, even to the very laws they pass.
It wasn't that long ago when it was perfectly legal for members of congress to trade stocks on insider information. What happens if a private citizen does that? Yeah there's a whole government agency dedicated to throwing us in prison for that.
Honestly these hacks in congress disgust me.