Using the premise that any event is responsible for all the events that follow - then giving women the vote was a big mistake - along with emancipation of slaves - eliminating the draft - etc, etc.
The expansion of power of the Federal government would not have been properly held in check by appointment of Senators rather than their direct election.
And you don’t think a Kennedy (rather than a Scott Brown) would be filling the seat in Mass right now if they were appointed rather than elected?
With Senators representing states, I cannot envision the LBJ era majorities that burdened states with mandatory spending, nor do I think rogue agencies like the EPA would have such a free rein. Maybe we wouldn't have as many "progressives" on Scotus either.