Senators should represent the interests of their states and not the masses.
Clause 1: The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, chosen by the Legislature thereof, ....
It was a sad day when the Roosevelt family immigrated to this country.
My only problem with the 17th is that it never passed. Total fraud.
What Lincoln started Roosevelt finished.
I am not from SC but does anyone think SC legislature would pick Goober Graham for Senator? I lived in Chas. SC for 4 years it is a very conservative state.
I actually think that Teddy Roosevelt wasn't right in the head (I believe many of his contemporaries felt the same way.)
Also think that it should be illegal for states' congressional delegation to receive any out-of-state funding.
Wasn’t Teddy a spoiler in the election that gave America Woodrow Wilson, in much the same way Ross Perot gave America the Clintons?
Interesting post. If you want to liven things up a bit, ping BlackElk. I tangled with him last week on the subject of 17th amendment, when discussing out of state interests and money getting senators elected to represent interests not of their own state.
He considers himself a conservative, but supports the direct election of senators and thinks the progressive movement isn’t all bad.
Our elite Republcrats still being able to elect their own Rebublicrats? What could go wrong?
The direct election of Senators destroyed the Senate, and created two Houses.
I am a firm believer that the 17th amendment stuck a dagger in the First Republic.
When politicians were more accountable, this may have worked. Nowadays I think we generally get a better result if people vote for their senstors.
Put it another way I am not for having unelected, less accountable, senators. Another group of politicians who don’t have to care if what they are doing is whatcmost citizens of the state want.
Think about how responsive democrat senators are to republican constituents. Now think if they will care more, or even less, if they are appointed by the state powers. Tell me anywhere in government where appointed people feel they answer to voters.