Except the important ones are where most of the gridlock occurs. Until one has enough pull, it is the smaller issues that are easier to deal with than the larger ones. Tackling the important issues is, well, important, but it is also usually filled with defeat...especially when the country has a difficulty in identifying what needs to be reduced and what needs to be saved from cuts. Then figuring out how much, or if you are to reform one issue, how to do so, can cause a party split, and there goes the political capital. Recall 2004-2005 for another instance. The other party can stand to gain, and in this case, the other party is much in favor of the past few years status-quo.
If you are looking for massive change, I envy you. I strictly believe we haven't in us yet to agree in terms of massive budget reductions and reform of major programs. In short, the smaller issues may be most of what you are looking at what political capital can accomplish, and perhaps they can add up decently.