Boortz had recently suggested this too. It is worthy of consideration. I had thought of this idea several years ago; wiser heads than mine talked me out of it. Here’s why:
Now that Americans are able to be better informed than ever, this should be the decade when the 17th Amemendment BEGINS. The amendment is not bad, but it was indeed far ahead of its time.
Stepping in closer, to see particular trees rather than the entire forest, here are some particular examples:
1. To look at it in light of this particular month, consider how the Americans have global warming at the bottom of our priority list. Why? Information. First, the Oregon Petition. Then, the Climategate Scandal Cluster. Would state legislators choose a senator who thinks cutting edge? Heck no. Legislators would most likely select someone who moderates the issue.
2. The recent Free Speech Ruling. This is the truly remarkable tree in this 17th Amendment forest. Corporations are now empowered to get people even MORE informed. The reason for this is that people became rapidly well informed about GW Bush’s judicial appointments, and we didn’t settle for semi-Constitutionalists. After the Kelo Court, we demanded ‘Originalists or Bust’.
I think that BO’s ‘reverb’ speeches were a brilliant exception to the norm, especially when we had an orchestrated economic meltdown [in my opinion at least], and a weak moderate candidate [the kind of squish who state legislators would prefer].
3. The Mass. Race. People were not led by the nose because they are better informed.
Timing is important with ideas. I think repealing the 17th never looked worse.
And that won't eventually translate into better state legislatures? These tea parties don't protest just the Federal Government, after all.