If just doing the right, moral and virtuous “thing” could be relied upon, the Framers would have set up a simple democratic system. James Madison spoke at length on this subject. All agreed that men could not be trusted to be angels.
Instead they created a very complex system of interacting checks, balances, and most importantly division of power. The first and foremost division was the vertical separation of powers between the states and the government they created. Leaving the states out of a system that acts on them makes as much sense as removing the people from the system . . . no sense at all! The states would have never ratified the constitution had they not been represented in congress.
Repeal of the 17th isn't just a “nice thing to have,” it is essential that both the people and states participate in a government that acts upon them.
Not the New Deal, Great Society, Obama, nor dozens of horrible supreme court decisions could have happened if the states were still in the senate.
The 17th allowed all power to swirl into DC. It is now flowing like a river to the executive and judicial branches. If power is not once again diffused across the states, all effective authority will soon reside in the president. Elections will end up a pro-forma approval of an El Presidente.
Our institutions no longer serve their constitutional purposes. The question is: how can they be restored?
Article V before we can't.
I don’t disagree with you in the substance of what you say but unfortunately, we live in a country that has been thoroughly corrupted because it abandoned religious principles long ago.
You mentioned the 17th Amendment but I see the 16th as a major religious turning point. The income tax was passed because the politicians promised it would only the rich and for a small amount. That was a betrayal of biblical principle and a direct violation of two commandments. The road to hell has to start somewhere.
Look if it keeps your mind active to dream and write about an Article V convention be my guest. Its a pike dream and also a poor substitute for just using the remedy that the Constitution has already given us. The 10th Amendment.
Just like the remedy the Constitution gives us for an out of control President is Impeachment.
The 10th Ammendment is for an out of control Judiciary and Congress.