Personally, I like the Singaporean model where they pay their politicians a lot of money in salaries. It seems like such an obvious way to get higher quality talent with less corruption. I vaguely recall that the US president makes 1/4 what George Washington made in salary (with inflation). Congresspersons and Senators should be paid well for their service, given the importance of their job.

Of course, this is an unpopular idea.