JimRob wrote “The central government has denied the states their constitutionally guaranteed republican form of government by introducing the 17th amendment which alters the way the senators which were to represent the sovereign interests of the various states to the central government. We must reestablish that representation by repealing the 17th amendment and allowing the state legislatures of the various states to elect their own senators as intended by our founders.” I agree, repeal of the 17th is essential to once more establishing the balance of power between the several states and the federal establishment.
The 16th and 17th amendments were ratified in 1912, William Howard Taft, a Republican, was President. The Teddy Roosevelt and Howard Taft Republicans were known as Progressives in those days. The 17th amendment was ratified to make the Constitution more democratic. By altering the manner of the election of Senators, the principal mechanism employed by the framers of the Constitution to protect federalism was also altered. If we are to save our once glorious Republic federalism must be reestablished.
The 10th amendment is toothless and meaningless unless the states are represented, as entities, at the federal level. In the last analysis, the Constitution is a contract between three parties, the citizens, the states, and the federal establishment. The latter is guilty of a massive breach of contract, and the grievances of the remaining two parties must be redressed in some manner. The discussions on state sovereignty are high lighting the intent of the 10th amendment and the primacy of state’s rights. They are, after all, as important and fundamental to our civil government as our inalienable individual rights.
Thank you, Jim Robinson, for including revocation of the 16th and 17th amendments in your proposal. I am disappointed that thus far these particular items, among your thoughtful suggestions, have not received the attention they deserve.
Bears repeating.