If I were a Democrat or liberal Republican, I’d want repeal of the 17th. It would make my job a helluva lot easier at getting elected. I’d only have to focus my attention on bribing, coercing and manipulating the members of the legislature (what was pretty much being done post-mid-19th century).
As for state legs appointing judges, I’d be just as wary. Again, you’d have 20 states that would NEVER appoint non-Democrats (hence, safe moonbat in the mode of the 9th “Circus”). Now you might get some Conservative judges in those GOP states, but only by accident, as said jobs would be used as a reward for party loyalists (party, not ideology).
Regardless, the entire governmental system as it is is very messed up.
Every complaint you register as a problem exists now, with many even worse. Senators as national representatives only represent corporations and PACs. The wealthy ones buy seats.
I will also agree that any system will eventually be corrupted; but in this case, it is worth the effort to “de-nationalize” senators, if solely to shift federal power back to the individual states. Instead of their living in Washington for 5 years and six months, at least it would force them to return to their home states every now and then.
The assumption of the founding fathers was never than men are good, or that men are bad or evil; just that men are weak. It is an axiom that requires the people to keep the government system somewhat in flux.
At the time of the Alaska purchase, it has been alleged that congressmen and senators had been bribed to 300% of their total number. Things change.