A $6 billion price tag for more of the same

The 2012 election was the priciest ever on record, with spending totaling $5.8 billion according to the Center for Responsive Politics.

That's larger than the gross domestic product of 40 small countries, including Malawi, Montenegro, Belize and Fiji, according to the International Monetary Fund.

Is there a better way to spend $6 billion? Some scientists say much of New York City's devastation from Superstorm Sandy could have been prevented by building a sea barrier. Two European engineering firms have already drawn up plans for such a structure, with a price tag just above $6 billion.

Instead, we got more of the same balance of power. With President Obama remaining in the White House, Republicans in control of the House and Democrats leading the Senate, will U.S. lawmakers ever get anything accomplished?