The incentives for Congress are all wrong. After the election they are forced to spend most of their time trying to make sure they get re-elected. This makes for part-time representation. To compound the issue their pay is not tied to performance. I suggest that we tie their pay to the median income for US workers. In 2011, at double the median income, their pay would be ~$100,000. Congress would never risk gambling with our livelihood again.
Second, on incentives, Congress should be barred from becoming lobbyists or working for companies post-Congress whose lobbyists they've work with in the past. Currently the private sector post-Congress is far more lucrative than working for the American People which makes their term one long employment interview.