And importantly, a group of people who have already been identified as qualified for the specific office in question through experience or education.

We need to stop letting bankers and business owners run our country, then act surprised when they run it with profit and economic growth as their primary focus...

We also have the technological infrastructure for more reliable direct democracy. I would love to see everyone over the age a majority issued a smart device (phone, tablet, whatever) where the administration could push plainly worded surveys daily or weekly to solicit public feedback on relevant issues to help direct prioritization.