[Kegger]

Thank you fieldmarshaldj for that interesting hyperbole.

It is obvious we are not going to agree on this so I leave you with this:

Election of Senators by State Legislatures is an important check and balance of the Constitution. It divides the powerful Federal Congress into two different and competing constituencies. It is also republican in nature as it empowers elected State Representatives to chose their representative in the Federal government, a "Senator". The states currently do not have a representative in the Federal government. Our Federal government is effectively now made up of two House of Representatives', with NO Senate! What a huge loss. It was only after this important check to Federal usurpation was neutralized, with the direct election of Senators, that the United States began the widespread adoption of socialism. It is not coincidental.

Removing some legislative power from the people directly was and is wise. When Senators are elected by State Legislatures, they are accountable to the State Legislature that selected them. It is a completely different political dynamic. Whereas an individual may be interested in policies directly affecting them, the State Legislature has a broader perspective and is more likely interested in what affects the state as a whole. Both interests and perspectives are critical; losing either one is tragic. State Legislatures are more likely to be interested in checking federal power to jealously preserve their state's sovereignty. This is a great example of the founder's genius in using human nature to check human nature.

[fieldmarshaldj]

No exaggeration intended. I’ve studied both bodies (and indeed, have reviewed every single individual to have ever served in either body, as well as Governors) and don’t come to my conclusions lightly. There is a naive sense on the part of repealers that somehow the Senate will somehow suddenly become more high-minded and respectful of state issues. Again, many choose to ignore the makeup of the legislatures as well as ignoring what was already happening in the era where support for popular election of Senators was reaching critical mass. Simply put, I wouldn’t trust virtually any legislative body with that awesome responsibility because I believe we would have an even worse situation on our hands. My state legislature elects, for example, all but two statewide officeholders (Gov & Atty Gen), and for umpteen decades, virtually all of those individuals (which from Reconstruction until 2009 were Democrats) have been party hacks. It’s for that reason that I believe more, and not less, direct accountability to the people is preferable.