Our vote should not be for sale. Imagine how all the money raised by the current party system to get one side riled up against the other could be put to better use. What a mega scam. Televised campaign ads should be banned. Most civilized countries don't allow it. Contributions can be accepted, yet be open to total accountability.
At the end of the evening news, each candidate could have time for a statement. Their positions would be outlined on their sites as well as an ongoing debate addressing relevant issues. Rather than distort reality with slick ads, candidates should interact with the public and answer any question, so we can see what they're made of. Our leaders should be chosen based on their vision and virtue. While there are some who have dedicated their lives to public service, others have amassed great material wealth. Mega donors spend millions. What do they get in return?
Who do we want in charge? War starts when someone gets on such a power trip they manipulate public opinion to motivate people to sacrifice their lives for the cause, with logical assessment labeled unpatriotic. Standing up to evil is the right thing to do, but who is the real evil? Those who buy their way into power, then hang onto it at any cost.
If voter identification is banned, as in some states, what's to prevent anyone from anywhere from voting multiple times? How can the results be validated if the 'one person one vote' constitutional principle could have been violated? An easy solution would be retinal scanning. Homeland security has been using it for a few years. When you do your voter registration, once you show proof of where you live, no data need be recorded. You get an identity tag linked to your unique physical feature. When you vote, you get scanned, then get a ballot. If you try to scan again, it will show you already got your ballot.
Your nameless voter tag could be used for polling to make your preferences known, so at any time, if a leader wanted to know what their constituents wanted, they could ask. Knowing where people are at on an issue makes it easier to outline fact. Not everyone will agree, but at least they will be informed. Recall elections would be easier to initiate.
Multiple independent inspectors will ensure election integrity, from other countries for national elections.
Every legitimate government will be certified by impartial outsiders so democracy will be real, not a facade.
Reboot international diplomacy, with more help going to true democracies, not funding tyrants or terrorists.
