Presidential Question Time is a good answer

Many times politicians are speaking past each other, and often disagreeing on even basic facts.

Presidential Question Time that happens on balance about once a month is a good answer to this problem. There should be questions from lawmakers of both parties with the stipulation that the question on balance should challenge the President.

That is the American way, to challenge authority in a respectful way.

So Democrats could ask why the President hasn't fought more for the Public Option in healthcare or why he seems willing to drop trial plans in NYC, while Republicans can ask when the President will balance the budget or take steps to reduce abortions.

I would hate for there to be "softball" questions from one side and "gotcha" questions from the other. They should be real policy-related questions that are serious.