Politician should be a temporary position.
Never a lifetime profession.
Term limits.
There is no other way.
A call to service.
Not a call of tenure.
Sever the power by minimizing the glad handing opportunities
Tie them to their base.
12 years maximum.
2 terms for a Senator.
6 terms for a Congressman
More than enough.
Too fair as a matter of fact
Reasonable plan?
I think so.
The machine must be dismantled.
It will be.
One way or another.
We are ill served currently.
We all know it.
Well enough. 

 @0aac7d38 and their pensions should be drastically reduced.  They should be defined contribution plans, rather than defined benefit plans.  They can have a 401k like they shoved onto everyone else. 

 @0aac7d38 and sometimes I think we should abolish the senate altogether and have the roll they fill be done by the states, so no federal law can be passed unless ratified by 30 states.