You keep repeating this as if you think it is cute or brilliant or something. The fact is, our government is concerned with staying in power, nothing more. The Wall Street residents pay their bills, the Main Street residents give them votes. They can't stay in power if either of these abandon them, so they will continue to pander as they have.
A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until a majority of voters discover that they can vote themselves largess out of the public treasury.
--Alexander Tytler
This is our first and foremost problem. We are a spoiled society, accustomed to getting whatever we want, whenever we want it. We are like a nation of out-of-control 6 year olds, with no collective pragmatic sense of reason. Our "Mom" has become Government, we look to "Mom" to give us more candy, and if we don't get it, we throw ourselves in the floor and proceed to kick, scream and throw a temper tantrum. Politicians are like the typical "Dr. Spock" parent, who doesn't believe in spanking or discipline, and will hopelessly attempt to reason with 'Little Billy' as he dismantles the store.
Secondly, we are a stupid society. We have those who have divided our nation into "sports teams" which they will pick a favorite, and root for the win, no matter how absurd the result. They have lost all sense of unity as a nation, this is their team against the other team, and nothing else matters. Others are completely tuned out of politics, and simply 'follow' whatever the popular crowd is following at the moment. They see government as a great big reality show, and their 'vote' is largely influenced by popular opinion of the moment.
Finally, we are a lost society. We have completely lost our way, and any understanding of the principles of our founding and basis of our existence. We have people who openly question whether we should even have a democracy or republic, and advocate pure fascist socialism and communism instead. This in spite of the fact that these governmental models have consistently led to tyranny and despair for the people, and erosion of any and all personal freedom and liberty. They have read a book by some pinhead who makes a convincing argument for tearing down our form of government, and they are brainwashed into believing this crap, because they lack the fundamental understanding of what makes America great. Secular progressives have waged all out war on religion for the past 50 years, and the only entity currently battling them, are the evangelical Christians.
Yep... We are screwed, because the chances of America collectively waking up to the problems before it's too late, are slim to none.