Set up by the last entry ...
First, the "mercenary" reference -- Justice Stevens, showing his leanings, is quite supportive of campaign finance limits, repeatedly referencing "paid mercenaries." This is especially interesting here where he notes that control of one's property is an important constitutional interest. Second, Sandy Levinson over at Balkinization is raising structural concerns that he believes are furthering the current political happenings. See, e.g., here.
I would take this with a grain of salt. Broken Branch notes how Congress has fallen into disrepute in recent years, but especially since the Republicans took over. IOW, as with Islam and terrorism, the structure might invite this sort of thing if the environment is right, but it is no way compelled. And, a majority of the voting public (or surely close enough to be a problem, same in 2000 as to the latter) voted for GB in the last election. Structural fixes can be imagined, and probably ideal to some extent, but ultimately "we the people" are essential. Such was the point in 1787 as well.
If "we the people" continue to let our leaders get away with things just too close to Nazi war crimes (we often speak of extremes when saying what we should not do ... legal opinions do it all the time ... so maybe "Nazi" [July] is not as verboten as some think) for comfort, it seems a bit too glib to blame bicameralism or the Electoral College. Or, to suggest somehow Madison and company "welcomed" the mire we are in, the inability of the people to change the government when necessary. We have a free press, but that is not enough for it to be an ideal press. Same here.
[Update: Added "Nazi" link.]
The system might help, but it is not the ultimate problem. The rot comes from those who people the system, and that should be our ultimate aim. This is so even if some tweaks might help push things along. I'm no fan of the EC and it tends to overly favor conservative sorts that leave a lot to be desired. But, we had it for two hundred years, and survived fairly well. It did not compel a majority to vote for an asshole. And, since many of the problems/troublesome shifts came along without constitutional changes, reforms can as well. So, I'm not quite on the same page with SL here.
Overall, there are some chicken/egg issues here, but I don't really want to focus on the structure per se. We have to be aware of it, surely, and can alter it somewhat. Probably have to as well. We can work within it, and honestly, realistically, we will have to do so. And, can win.