Dennis Morrisseau, who now plans to be an independent candidate for U.S. House instead of seeking the Republican nomination, has a proposal for changing the way we elect our representatives to Washington.

Morrisseau called for a constitutional amendment that would replace "money-based elections" with "a kind of jury drawing."

"I think these seats in Congress should be filled by ordinary, decent citizens whose names are drawn randomly from voter checklists, the same way we draw juries. One or two terms of congressional duty at a very decent salary, with very harsh criminal sanctions for bribery in any form, then out you go," he said.

Picture the average worker, leaving his or her desk at the office for a two-year leave of absence to do the work of the people. "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" is replaced by "Joe, the guy down the hall, goes to Washington."

That's one idea. Anybody else got others?

- Terri Hallenbeck