Is representative government a hinderance to progress?

Voting for Senators, Representatives, and Presidents dates back to the horse and buggy days. People had to travel by horse to the capital and argue issues for the good of their represented peoples. 

We live in a modern time with electronic communication. We can harness the knowledge of specialized experts in different areas of the economy, science, law, and culture. We can act as a superorganism in the governance and future of this nation. 

Is it time to upgrade our democracy to one where we don't hate each other on the way to election day?