Congress can’t be trusted to fix itself (Atlantic)

Bob Kerrey is the current Democratic nominee for the Nebraska Senate seat, which he held from 1989 to 2001. Away from the game for 11 years, Kerrey is not happy with how Congress has changed. But he does not agree with observers who say Congress can be fixed by urging it to change its rules. He proposes amending the Norris Amendment to Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Kerrey says it would not eliminate the Conference Committee, but it would make compromise between political parties possible; reduce the number of Congressional committees; establish reasonable term limits on consecutive years of service; and limit the use of the filibuster for starters. “When factions—partisan interests—control government, everyone loses, because our common purpose is subordinated,” Kerrey says.