The Founders wrote the senatorial rule with an eye to keeping the power of the electorate intact. Congressional representatives are directly elected, senators would be indirectly elected. The electorate would elect state legislatures, then those bodies and the other elected officers of the state(Gov) would elect senators, hence keeping the senate tied to the people, but filtered through the stability of state houses. The idea of short term representatives ( 2yrs) and longer term senators (6 yrs) would give both fluidity and balance to the federal houses- preventing rapid sea changes based on “democracy”.
The 17th made those checks moot. Now, all the hack and pandering occurs at both houses of congress, and we the people, should be rather ashamed.
Remember, at the time of these amendments passing, the nation was in the early throes of progressivism-aka liberalism, sic socialism. Thus the Republic was lost.
Repealing the ever available source of entitlement to the government, and returning balance to the senate would be a start in recognizing the true purpose of our government- to secure essential liberties, not the erode them all for the sake of “equality”. Indeed, some animals are more equal than others- they work harder to make it so.
Defense, foreign trade and relations, that is all we need the national/federal government for. Free states can do the rest, alone or in conjunction with other states, no oversight except that of those states electorates needed.
While we are at itr, allowing only franchised ( taxed) citizens vote may be the real solution to our fiscal and public policy problems.
As long as kids want cookies, mommy and daddy need to be in charge, else the cookie jar will perpetually be empty and the kids overweight....
Well said.