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"The 17th Amendment is valid, although I have seen at least one FReeper claim that it violates Article V. The states still have equal representation in the Senate even though the senators are elected by the people of the state, not its legislature."

I don’t know if the founders intended the Senate to be direct representatives of the people per se. They set up the House of Representatives for that. I’m thinking the Senate was set up to represent the interests of the sovereign states, and to be a check on the “hot heads” in the House, and a check against the executive, and a check against runaway federal government, and (laughing here) a senior body of wizened statesmen of the highest moral character to ensure the longevity of the Republic. As it is now after the 17th, the states have all but lost their sovereign rights and powers and we do have a runaway federal government.

Great thread!

“and (laughing here) a senior body of wizened statesmen of the highest moral character to ensure the longevity of the Republic”

LOL. Not so true today.

Jim, check Post #34.

You are correct about what the Framers wanted, and what they wanted was tied very much to the concept of a republic. But the elections of 1800 and 1828 changed the focus from a republic to a broad-based democracy. That's why Jackson asked for 3 rather revolutionary amendments in 1829.