How can I make it easier to move files from an underprivileged (user) account to a root directory in linux?

Question

I'm sure it's been asked and answered many times, but I can't seem to find an answer. Maybe this question will link someone else to the right answer.

Here's the problem:

~$ sudo ls
ls: cannot open directory .: Permission denied

Here's what I want to do:

~$ sudo cp synergy.conf /etc

Here's what happens:

cp: cannot stat `synergy.conf': Permission denied

Here's what I end up doing:

~$ cp synergy.conf /tmp
~$ sudo cp /tmp/synergy.conf /etc/

What can I do to make this easier? Is there a way to give sudo privileges to see my home directory?