Congress could make a huge step towards bringing representation back to the people (and eliminate a lot of campaign financing problems) if it made it possible for most of the legislative process to be done via telecommuting. In other words, set up a virtual Congress so that each representative can generally stay at home to do their part of directing the nation's business to a bright, vibrant and prosperous future.
Special Interests Dispersed. Groups pushing a special interest agenda via behind the scenes activities would have to visit 535 separate offices spread around the nation -- a virtual impossibility.
Home Access. It would also mean that people would have ready access to their own representatives on a daily basis, not just on weekends that are crammed with local political fund raising events.
Congressional Network. Official meetings could be made over a Congressional Telenet and be available to local TV, radio and media. This would include floor debates, meetings with other congresscritters, lobbyists and committee meetings. The technology would surely have benefits to other aspects of the economy.
Local Funding of Elections. Most of the money for reelections would be generated from local sources since the representative would be generally at home to raise money.
Less Beltway Circus. Congress could and should still meet in person a few times a year, but that should not be a necessity for much of their work. The Beltway Circus would not overly distract representatives from desires and wishes of the diverse cultures of the districts they represent.
Many of the problems with Congress would be eliminated if Congress moved towards a virtual Congress. It couldn't be done all at once, nor would this be a full substitute for meeting on the Hill. Clearly there are huge technological barriers to overcome to make it possible for 535 representative and senators to be able to meet in a reasonably unrestricted format as they can now do in the halls and offices of Congress. As was discovered in the movement to put a man on the moon, there would likely be economic spin offs for the rest of society and the economy. The technology that would allow allow a Congressman to dial up and meet any other Congressman or group of Congressmen on a whim over a television connection would surely be of value to business, education, and many other aspects of our lives.
It is about time for Congress to look to bring its business back to the people and communities of this nation so that Congress doesn't lose touch with the opinions of individual people of this nation in favor of special interest collectives.