Posted on 10/17/2007 1:28:13 PM PDT by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
This weblog calls for the repeal of the 17th Amendment and addresses the abusive hegemony committed by the U. S. Senate. If Americans want to remove some corruption from government, the first significant step is to repeal the 17th Amendment. Americans should fear the steady growth by the oligarchy in the Senate. We should fear the oligarchs more because our Constitution cannot be spoiled by bombs, the courts, or the President; only through legislation.
Democracy is overrated PING!
The Seventeenth Amendment was passed on the argument that it would curb oligarchy in the Senate, not enhance it: which stands to reason.
Clause 1. The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, elected by the people thereof, for six years; and each Senator shall have one vote. The electors in each State shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the State legislatures.
Clause 2. When vacancies happen in the representation of any State in the Senate, the executive authority of each State shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies: Provided That the legislature of any State may empower the executive thereof to make temporary appointments until the people fill the vacancies by election as the legislature may direct.
Clause 3. This amendment shall not be so construed as to affect the election or term of any Senator chosen before it becomes valid as part of the Constitution.
So, in laymans terms, what is your gripe with the 17th Amendment?
It removed the ability of the states themselves to protect their powers from the encroachment of the Federal government. The Federal Government has usurped power from the states and the people and effectively rendered the 10th Amendment meaningless. I believe that the Senate should be directly accountable to the states once again, because when the people elect both houses of Congress, the states’ interests are rendered irrelevant for legislative purposes.
Believe me, I’m not going to kid myself about repeal being a magic bullet. A lot of states probably, by now, LIKE big, overbearing federal government, and if a states-appointed Senate started issuing meaningful legislation to actually SHRINK the government and restore states’ rights, it stands a good chance of being shot down in the House. However, I still think there would be an advantage, as accountability to the states could slow down or (cross your fingers) stop the growth of the federal behemoth, if a majority of states were willing to fight for their 10th Amendment powers.
The principle of the 10th Amendment practically demands some kind of accountability of Congress to the states. Repealing the 17th Amendment would help to provide that if the states are willing to assert themselves.
A growing number of FReepers think a big, powerful federal government is good, no matter how much it taxes them and deflates the value of their savings with printed revenues.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.