Rep. Dan Boren: Polarized political system in desperate need of reform

We're delaying necessary decisions on fiscal issues that could cause grave damage within our nation's borders and to our standing on the world stage. America is still the greatest superpower on earth with a people and economic framework that can't be replicated, but our political system remains polarized and is in desperate need of reform.

We continue to send people to our nation's capital who, for the most part, are not interested in compromise. The system that elects these candidates needs to be restructured.

First, we have congressional districts that so advantage one political party over the other that the only real race is in the primary. Whoever wins has little incentive to reach out to those constituents and peers with differing views. Next, we have an out-of-control campaign finance system where one individual, whether they are liberal or conservative (see George Soros and Sheldon Adelson), can tip the balance in a congressional race. Money will always be a part of campaigns, but candidates should be able to get contributions only from those who can vote for them. As a member of Congress, I spent a great deal of time away from home raising money to continue my service. I would have much rather been at a chamber dinner in McAlester or a Rotary Club in Muskogee.