Strictly following the Constitution would solve most of the problems (hey, I can dream). Going back and getting rid of the direct election of senators and let the Governors of said state appoint its Senators would be another step in the right direction. Getting rid of the IRS/Income tax, replace it with something that is fair, and something that EVERYONE pays (no teat suckers that never pay into the kitty, but reap the subsidized benefits). AND TERM LIMITS, like I said earlier. If you serve you limit as a Senator, you cannot run for any other elected office, ever. Read the Federalist. There was a very explicit warning against what the founders called "An Elected Despotism". We have that now. Royals, in the form of people who get elected and never leave. Rangel, Pelosi, McCain, Schumer. They homestead, and idiots vote for them, not because they are the best to represent, but because the idiots get payment (entitlements). The welfare state is one huge voting block, dont you think for a minute it isnt.
One other thing. Elections. Make is easier for anyone to run. Strict laws on campaign finances. Make it so someone that is not well off can run. Hell, Id support a law that, if one met the qualifications of office, for the Govt to finance their campaign, set a Dollar amount and thats it. No private donations, no raising a ton of money, each candidate has the same $$. And make it a law that you have 6 months to campaign for said office, not like we are about to see Obama and his challengers start the 2012 Presidential race this year.
Next idea, and a few of my liberal friends really hate this one, is to have a State Electoral College. I firmly believe if States counted the votes by Electoral College, you would see states like California become Republican held.
One idea that I have not decided on personally, is the idea that if you do not pay in any federal taxes, you dont get a vote in federal elections. I like it because if one does not pay federal taxes, one should not get a say in how those taxes are spent (akin to voting yourself a raise in entitlements). Yet I believe that voting is a right, and a heavy responsibility. Most people today, IMO, vote with an attitude of "whats in it for me" instead of whats best for the country or voting for what they believe in (sure some believe entitlements are a right, they are idiots who havent read the Constitution, but they believe it).