I would enjoy seeing some well informed speculation from Free Republic commenters about which current or historical politicians would - or would not - have become Senators under the current election rules, or, by vote of a state Legislature.
For instance - Lincoln lost the 1858 Senate election by vote of the Illinois state Legislature. It is quite possible Lincoln would have won a popular election in Illinois.
For instance - I think Ted Cruz would have had a very difficult time being elected by the Texas Legislature
All republican governments prior to ours acted strictly on on the people. Our constitution acts on two entities, the people and states. Common to all republics is for their members to be represented directly or indirectly in the law making body. Had the states been denied a body in congress, there is no way the constitution would have been ratified in 1788.
In order to remain consistent with republican theory, the states MUST have a seat at the legislative table if the government is to constitutionally act on them. To remain consistent with fundamental republicanism, every clause in the constitution which dealt with the states should have been repealed upon ratification of the 17th.
Now that of course can't be done because the states, people and the government they created are thoroughly intertwined in their duties and powers.
The 17th also introduced an element of tyranny into our system, because the national government was empowered to act on a component of the republic that doesn't have representation.
Removal of the states from congress makes as much sense as removing the people from congress. None.
The 17th introduced an internal contradiction that is largely responsible for the decline in our freedom. The 17th must go.