> For some reason the checks and balances have completely broken down and D.C.

A - What makes you think the states are any better or different.

But more importantly

B - They clearly haven't. Just because you have an issue with this topic, doesn't mean everyone does. Congress has something like a 95% incumbency rate. The ultimate in checks and balances, sending someone else if you don't like them, send them right back to continue doing what they're doing. People don't care about this and they want the government to protect them from terrorists.