It really is true, that the Senate was supposed to be a “deliberative” branch, comprised of actual statesmen who made their fortunes elsewhere, who were asked (often they WERE actually asked (basically drafted) to devote their last productive years to the service of the countrymen who got them where they are. They weren’t elected but selected by the state governments. It was supposed to be something like the House of Lords in England, except better, without the class and heredity-based baggage.
Now, they are basically somewhat older and wealthier members of the House, who don’t run as often and you can’t get rid of them as quickly. Worse, the longer that they are in office, the more likely that they will stay in office, given our increases (not these days, though!) in lifespan and that they gain more power the longer they stay in and therefore can deliver more goodies to their states.
So, basically, a complete perversion of the system.
In case younger people reading this don’t know what a “statesman” is, this was a type of politician who are now extinct. That’s why “statesperson” never caught on. There never were any.