Posted on 05/28/2012 11:45:53 AM PDT by ProgressingAmerica
In a book titled "Progressive Principles", which is a collection of Roosevelt's speeches, (and which Roosevelt himself endorsed, see the preface) Roosevelt made clear his favor for the direct election of senators: (Page 3 - April 3rd, 1912)
For this purpose we believe in securing for the people the direct election of United States Senators exactly as the people have already secured in actual practice the direct election of the President.
Page 65: (February 21st, 1912)
I believe in the election of United States Senators by direct vote.
Page 315: (August 17th, 1912 - Bull Moose platform)
In particular, the party declares for direct primaries for the nomination of State and National officers, for Nation-wide preferential primaries for candidates for the Presidency, for the direct election of United States Senators by the people; and we urge on the States the policy of the short ballot, with responsibility to the people secured by the initiative, referendum, and recall.
As an aside note, I'd bet that many people didn't realize that all of these things were originally a part of the progressive program. All of this makes sense, when you consider the massive amounts of propaganda that progressives were putting out back in those days, and do still to this day.
There are a lot of people who will do a lot of hating on Woodrow Wilson for all of the things that were done on his watch(and almost the entirety of it is rightfully deserved. See my archives, I've probably posted about Wilson more than any other), but it's long been forgotten in far too many quarters that much of Wilson's program was either an extension of Roosevelt's or was the direct implementation of it.
At the time that these speeches of his were being given, the 17th would've been making it's way through state legislatures.
Now, it's true that there may have been more consistent voices out there agitating toward the implemtation of direct senatorial election, in particular, William Jennings Bryan. But as a former President, Roosevelt's voice would've been a powerful affirmative voice toward it's implementation given his popularity. And as the leader of the progressive party, Roosevelt's position on the matter should not be forgotten.
Our elite Republcrats still being able to elect their own Rebublicrats? What could go wrong?
Yes -- the ill-fated Bull Moose Party. Teddy and Richard Nixon are the two biggest Republican disappointments of the twentieth century. They ran as arch-conservatives and governed as liberals.
The direct election of Senators destroyed the Senate, and created two Houses.
I am a firm believer that the 17th amendment stuck a dagger in the First Republic.
They had the chance to restore much of the Founders' vision and they wimped out. Especially G.W. with support in Congress available to him. Shame he lost his veto pen and tried to "make nice" with treasonous Kennedy. Sigh.
Well, there's certainly an argument to be made there. And while I think of Nixon's creating the EPA, I'm reminded of Bush's Department of Homeland Security, so I can't disagree.
Of course Ross Perot did not cost George Bush the election in 1992. Here is a very complete analysis that shows why.
http://www.leinsdorf.com/perot.htm
If it makes you happy to go on believing the myth, go ahead.
Perhaps a better question is, would George H.W. Bush, had he won, been able to advance the cause of Progressivism more than Bill Clinton was able to during his term in office?
When politicians were more accountable, this may have worked. Nowadays I think we generally get a better result if people vote for their senstors.
Put it another way I am not for having unelected, less accountable, senators. Another group of politicians who don’t have to care if what they are doing is whatcmost citizens of the state want.
Think about how responsive democrat senators are to republican constituents. Now think if they will care more, or even less, if they are appointed by the state powers. Tell me anywhere in government where appointed people feel they answer to voters.
“And while I think of Nixon’s creating the EPA, I’m reminded of Bush’s Department of Homeland Security, so I can’t disagree.”
Funny how the miscreants in the GOP-E forget these little tidbits, huh ?
The battle isn’t -R vs. -D, the battle is Commie Left vs. Patriotic Right. Always has been, always will be.
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